UW System Budget Goes to Governor for Approval
UW System officials say the 1999-01 budget adopted by the Legislature late Wednesday (Oct. 6) provides the UW System additional management flexibility that will allow the System to serve more students while maintaining quality.
The budget would also provide a funding increase greater than the System has seen in at least two decades.
The Governor recommended and the Legislature approved the following important initiatives for our students:
Systemwide Initiatives included:
$7.3m for Libraries
$2.5m for International Education
$3.9m for Instructional Technology
$2m for student advising services
Facts about the Biennial Budget:
Total operating budget increase over the biennium: $90.6m ($78.1m GPR/$12.5 Fees) (3.3% average annual) -excludes debt service and pay plan.
Management Flexibilities:
- Continuing Appropriation granted for all tuition revenue.
- A separate provision restricts future resident undergraduate tuition increases to an amount necessary to fund:
(1) state approved compensation and benefits,
(2) specific initiatives included in a biennial budget,
(3) adjustments for enrollment mix,
(4) state-imposed costs not covered by the GPR,
(5) distance education, intercession and non-traditional courses, and
(6) differential tuition approved by the Board of Regents.
- Position flexibility of 1% over 1999 FTE level.
Tuition Freeze:
- $28m GPR funding increase: Includes fees for compensation and Regent Initiatives included in the biennial budget (requires that 2000-01 tuition be frozen at 1999-00 levels for resident undergraduates)
Financial Aid:
- Changes the WHEG appropriation in the HEAB budget to a sum-sufficient to be commensurate with annual tuition increases. Provide an estimated biennial increase of $3.3m
- $.5m GPR increase for the Lawton Grant also permanently tied to tuition increases
- $.75m GPR increase for the Advanced Opportunity Program
Increased Access:
- $4.8m funding for increased access of 1,000 students to the UW System (700 Systemwide and 300 at Madison)
Madison Initiative:
- $29.2m (19m GPR/10.2m fees), close to the Governor’s recommendation of $30m.
Plan 2008:
- $1m GPR for implementation of Plan 2008
- $732,600 GPR/Fees for Pre-college programs.
Employee health insurance:
- Provides that the UW System will fund the employer contribution for health benefits from the first day of hire.
Source: UW-Green Bay, Office of Marketing and University Communication, from UW System Data
10/7/99