University of Wisconsin student leaders say they want their power over segregated fees restored, after the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee approved rules Friday that would strip away their control over how the fees are spent.
Segregated fees are assessed by student government to pay for student interests on UW campuses. Currently, students determine the fees and how they’re spent, but under the Joint Finance Committee proposal chancellors would make the final spending decisions, with students serving only in an advisory role.
Graham Pearce, president of the UW Colleges Student Governance Council, said the proposal violates student rights.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
“It’s really important that students have legal protection in the process of being able to determine how those fees work. They’re supposed to be something that are decided on by students and by elected student representation,” said Pearce.
Pearce said students are paying most of the cost to attend school, so they should have a role in governance.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
