Higher Education Day was recognized yesterday in Wisconsin, with Gov. Jim Doyle, other state leaders and even former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright, calling on residents to start saving for college early.
Intended to raise awareness about the financial options and resources available to prospective college students, the day was also used by Doyle's opponents to criticize his education plans.
However, Doyle supporters were also on-hand to promote the governor's education plans for the state.
Earlier in the day, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright appeared in Milwaukee with Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, First Lady Jessica Doyle and UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Carlos Santiago. Albright praised Gov. Jim Doyle's educational efforts.
"It's refreshing to leave Washington and come to a place like Wisconsin where leaders like Governor Doyle realize that education must be a priority," Albright said, according to a Doyle release. "Governor Doyle understands what education means to us."
According to its website, Higher Education Day calls attention to the fact that Wisconsin's future workers are faced with a globally competitive and changing economy that requires them to have the tools provided by a college education.
In addition, state officials say it is critical for parents to prepare for the financial burden of college so that their children have opportunities in the future. To promote the day's message, constitutional officers recognized various educational leaders.
State Treasurer Jack Voight met with fourth grade teacher MaryAnn Garvey and her class at Jefferson Elementary School in Jefferson.
"I decided to go into an elementary school and see what the kids want to do," Voight said. "I wanted to show them that they need higher education to achieve their goals and that you need money in order to do that."
Aimed at both children and parents, the message of the day is that people have to start thinking about higher education early.
The event particularly emphasizes the importance of savings plans like EdVest, a state-tax deductible trust fund. EdVest allows parents and grandparents to invest in a trust fund that grows over time until the beneficiary uses the money to pay for college.
"You need to set aside a time for people to think about higher education," Voight said. "People tend to procrastinate. [Higher Education Day] reminds people about their options for putting money aside."
The day drew criticism from gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Wis., whose campaign issued a release listing Green's various grievances against Doyle's educational policy, which Green said have led to a 50 percent increase of in-state tuition.
While in Brookfield in September, Green criticized the university's holistic approach to UW admissions that takes into account economic and racial factors, among others, in admitting incoming students.
"Admissions standards should be as predictable as possible," Green said. "If you study hard and do well, you should get in."
In addition, Green said he would place Wisconsin students at a higher priority than out-of-state students.
"Some of the out-of-state students have lower GPAs and lower class ranks," Green said. "I think that's wrong."
Criticism of higher education also came from the United Council of UW Students. They claim the day downplays the government's responsibility to provide affordable college education and illustrates the financial burdens placed on families.
Doyle's campaign responded to the criticism with a release primarily aimed at Green, claiming his policy positions would hurt Wisconsin families. It said Green has called for a higher education plan that would cut at least $100 million from the UW system.
Doyle and Green will both be running in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race in November.
Tom Schalmo contributed to this article.
