As expected, Gov. McCallum today announced a $50.5 million cut in the UW System budget. Now it rests on the Board of Regents to determine exactly what will be trimmed.

There is little doubt millions are wasted in the UW System. After all, not once but twice last fall the educrats found ways to cut money when their bureaucracy was threatened by the state’s budget crisis. Further cuts should be sought as a way of alleviating the shortfall.

While trimming the administration should be the number one priority, it is doubtful all $50.5 million will be pried from the grasp of the bureaucrats. Another source of funding is a raise in in-state tuition. In-state students, who pay the second-lowest tuition in the Big Ten, receive a tremendous bargain, and it is reasonable for them to pay their share during these tough economic times.

Still, we know some students may be priced out. Fortunately, the governor’s new budget includes $1.2 million in new financial aid — a welcome addition for those unable to afford the expected and — in this case — appropriate tuition increases.

What would not be appropriate — but sadly, expected — is a hike in out-of-state tuition. For non-natives, UW is already the second-most expensive school in the Big Ten. This hurts the university by lowering the quality of applicants and hurts students by decreasing regional, cultural and racial diversity. It is essential out-of-state tuition be raised no more than in-state tuition — or better yet, not at all.

All these decisions should be made with an eye toward preserving the quality of UW education. Programs like the Madison Initiative, which helps recruit and retain top faculty, insure that UW education is world-class. This benefits the state in the long run, for a top-notch university means better graduates, better jobs and ultimately a better economy. Unfortunately, this program is first on the chopping block — UW vice-chancellor for administration John Torphy said much of the Madison Initiative would be axed for now.

The $50.5 million cut is unfortunate, but it also presents an opportunity to cut the fat in the UW System budget. The risk is the regents lose sight of priorities, take the path of resistance and lower UW’s quality. Such a scenario will cost the state and UW students far more in the long run.