The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents discussed the future of postsecondary education in Wisconsin during a meeting Friday.

Richard George, president and CEO of the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation, addressed the regents after announcing last week a $40 million donation to the Wisconsin Covenant — a program guaranteeing admission to a postsecondary school if high school students stay in good academic standing.

"The Covenant could support those day-to-day activities that were already involved and deliver an overarching message to all Wisconsin students that this opportunity — postsecondary education changing their lives — is something that if they aspire to, the full resources of the state are going to be brought together to insure that those dreams will be fulfilled," George said.

Regent Danae Davis, who is head of the education committee, said the Wisconsin Covenant sends a strong message to Wisconsin youth.

"I think it's going to be so healthy because it's a major, major, major commitment that says to Wisconsin students, the young ones, the ones that are upcoming, 'You know what, we really want you to stay here, we want you to choose UW, we're going to do everything we possibly can,'" Davis said.

Although supportive of the Wisconsin Covenant program, Davis said she wanted to make sure financial assistance goes to individuals who are truly in need of it.

"I really supported the original intent, which was to provide a way for those who otherwise can't afford to go to college to say, 'Yes, I will,'" Davis said. "I just worry that it could be used by those who don't really need the financial assistance, but I guess we'll just cross that bridge when we get to it."

The regents also heard an update from UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Linda Bunnell, who is chair of the Segregated Fee System Committee, a group put together to review and analyze current UW System segregated fee policies.

"I think it's been an excellent committee, we've had great attendance, great dialogue and the students have been wonderful participants," Bunnell said.

At the committee's last meeting Nov. 7, the committee approved an amended draft of the segregated fee policies, which is currently being circulated to all campuses for feedback.

Bunnell said the feedback will be compiled at a meeting Nov. 27, and a final draft will be forwarded to UW System President Kevin Reilly and the Board of Regents.

"Ultimately, we're not making any final decisions," Bunnell said. "This is a report that goes to the Board of Regents where they will make the final decisions."

While issuing his report to the other regents, Regent President Mark Bradley said he believed the voluntary system of accountability "is the next logical step in the Wisconsin Growth Agenda."

"We enthusiastically joined this national effort because we wanted to tell our story," Bradley said. "We think it's going to be better for consumers to have this information, and it's going to be better for taxpayers and legislators who evaluate us to be able to see we are accomplishing what we intended."

Bradley also recognized the resignation of Regent Jesus Salas, who resigned Oct. 26 citing the lack of support for tuition remission for children of undocumented workers as "intolerable."

Bradley said he believed Salas could have accomplished more "for the Latino and Chicano population in Wisconsin by being an advocate," but added Salas thought otherwise.