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The Daily Cardinal Est. 1892
Thursday, March 28, 2024
ray cross

State legislators heard from UW System President Ray Cross and other System officials at an annual accountability hearing Thursday. 

Lawmakers review UW System accountability data

Members of the UW System Board of Regents testified before lawmakers Thursday to present the System’s accountability metrics, drawing skepticism from some Republican lawmakers.

Under state statute, UW System leaders must present metrics in four areas—financial management, administrative management, academic performance and economic development—to the Senate and Assembly Committees on Colleges and Universities.

UW System President Ray Cross used Thursday’s hearing as a chance to showcase the new digital format for the data.

“We’re really proud of [the accountability website],” Cross said. “We think it’s open and transparent.”

David Ward, the System’s vice president of academic and student services, said more needs to be done to help minority students integrate into college and to meet financial needs of students. But Ward emphasized that the state of the UW System is generally strong.

“The good news is that enrollment, retention and degrees awarded are at or near all-time highs,” Ward said. “Cost of attendance is near the national average.”

Lawmakers stressed the importance of the metrics given the current economic climate.

“With limited resources, high costs of tuition and a focus on meeting our workforce needs, these metrics are important for … ensuring positive outcomes and focusing on strong financial management on campuses,” said state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls.

Other politicians weren’t satisfied with the data presented. State Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said the UW System lacks standards and is chasing after the “so-so” results of other state’s university systems.

“I think there’s already been an admission that there aren’t standards,” Nass said. “When I look at the definition of accountability, I think this is more of an almanac … and it doesn’t tell me a whole lot. You’re accountable to what?”

Cross responded that the Board of Regents uses peer standards as a point of comparison and that they have specific goals for each of the UW schools.

“The board does have goals in many of those areas and … we’re trying to figure out what we should be doing,” Cross said. “We’re trying to get more granular and focus on the institutions.”

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