UW–Madison and the State Budget

Budget News

• Regents approve 2021-23 biennial budget request

  August 20, 2020

  The UW System Board of Regents today approved its 2021-23 biennial operating budget request, seeking a state funding increase of 3.5 percent in each of the next two years, providing $95.7 million over the next two years for a number of initiatives.

  “I strongly support the biennial budget request forwarded by UW System leadership and approved by the Board of Regents,” UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank says in a statement. “It’s a modest proposal that recognizes that investment in higher education is key to boosting our economy, even in difficult times.”

  Among the initiatives outlined in the budget request:

  • Expand and enhance online educational opportunities.
  • Support 20 county-based agriculture positions within the Division of Extension at UW-Madison.
  • Expand initiatives to support students’ mental and behavioral health.
  • Expand educational opportunity into Wisconsin’s prisons.
  • Launch the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, to extend UW-Madison’s Bucky’s Tuition Promise to all UW System campuses.
  • Increase funding for existing student loan forgiveness programs for teachers and school leaders, and provide UW students stipends to teach in schools during their second semester of junior year.

  The board also approved a capital budget request that includes bonding for two key UW-Madison projects, the replacement of the College of Engineering and Letters & Science academic buildings.

  “A new College of Engineering building will help create new space for students, with the plan to increase the engineering undergraduate population by 1,000, helping to meet the demand from Wisconsin employers for more engineers,” Blank says. “A new Letters & Science academic building will create new classrooms that support active learning, modern technology, and collaborative learning – elements proven to boost educational engagement and outcomes.”

  The request will be forwarded to the state Department of Administration, which collects agency budget proposal. Governor Tony Evers will sent his budget proposal to legislators early next year. The biennial budget must be approved by both legislative houses before returning to the governor for his signature.

• Board to vote on 2021-23 biennial budget proposal

  August 20, 2020

  The UW System Board of Regents will vote today on operating and capital budget requests for the 2021-23 state biennial budget.

  The proposal seeks a state funding increase of 3.5 percent in each of the next two years, providing $95.7 million over the next two years for a number of initiatives, including expansion of online educational programming, the addition of 20 county-based agricultural positions at UW Extension, and extending Bucky’s Tuition promise  to all UW System campuses.

  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tommy Thompson seeks 3.5% UW System budget increase to expand Bucky’s Tuition Promise, fund other initiatives

  Wisconsin State Journal: UW System wants to cover tuition for in-state students from families below median income

  The Cap Times: Thompson to request 3.5% budget increase for UW System in next biennium

   

• UW-Madison announces employee furloughs, leadership pay cuts

  April 30, 2020

  In a letter to campus on Wednesday, Chancellor Rebecca Blank notified employees that UW–Madison will implement additional expense reductions, including employee furloughs, in response to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university finances. The cost-saving measures include campus-wide furloughs, leadership pay cuts, a Work-Share program, position-specific furloughs, and possible reassignments. The measures will take effect no earlier than May 15 and continue through October 31, 2020.

  The latest cost-cutting steps are estimated to save up to $30 million toward the more than $100 million estimated shortfall the university is facing. The actions follow other budget reductions, including canceling new program investments, a travel freeze, changes to infrastructure project schedules, and redoubling efforts to enroll a strong freshman class.

  In her email to campus employees, Chancellor Blank stressed that the health and safety of our community is the university’s t0p priority. She expressed gratitude to all UW-Madison employees for their important role in the campus response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special thank you to those working onsite in essential capacities to preserve campus operations. The full text of the chancellor’s message can be viewed online and has been translated into multiple languages.

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