Admissions processes at UW-Madison have not changed despite word from the UW Board of Regents that fall undergraduate admissions are suspended on all campuses, UW-Madison Director of Admissions Keith White said.

“As far as we’re concerned, it’s pretty much been business usual here,” he said.

White said 11,800 students who applied before the Feb. 1 deadline have been admitted, which is comparable to other years.

The office has been busy fielding calls from concerned students and parents who feel the freeze will hurt their chances of acceptance to UW schools. However, it is too early to say what will happen, White said. He speculated the rest of the system is also proceeding as normal.

“There are decisions that have not been communicated to us,” White stated. “So, we are waiting.”

Erik Christianson, spokesperson for UW Systems, echoed White’s sentiments.

“The decision just happened on Friday,” he said. “The chancellors are looking at their enrollment processes at each campus and looking at how cuts will affect them.”

Although some campuses are further along in their admissions processes, no one can speculate if the freeze will affect one school more than another.

“It’s just too early to say for certain,” Christianson said.

Meanwhile, hopeful UW students are advised to sit tight.

“We’re still examining it and we hope prospective students are patient,” Christianson said.

Matt Fargen, President of UW System’s student governing body, United Council, suggested a more pro-active approach for high school seniors.

“Call your elected officials,” Fargen said. “Let them know you want to be a part of the UW System and help Wisconsin’s economy.”

Fargen said he hopes the system will have a special priority for UW students who are planning to transfer from a two-year to a four-year campus.

“A lot of students start out at two-year colleges, planning to transfer to four-year universities,” Fargen stated. “These students are expecting UW to hold up their end of the bargain while they are getting the necessary grades.”

The regents, chancellors and UW financial advisors are in the process of deciding how to handle cuts. Regents emphasized that the decision was regrettable but necessary.

“We realize the impact this has on the lives of our applicants and their families and we apologize for the inconvenience,” said Jay Smith, president of the Board of Regents. “But we have no other choice.”