The UW System's budget will be cut by $20 million, the figure originally planned for by administrators six months ago, if amendments to the state budget proposed by Senate Democrats Tuesday are passed into law.
The changes were suggested during a meeting of the Democratic Caucus and are likely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate unaltered when introduced later this week.
\The action by Senate Democrats today ... is most welcome and will directly benefit not only our students and staff, but also the communities around the state that depend economically on their local UW campuses,"" said Katharine Lyall, president of the UW System.
According to McCallum's initial proposal, the UW System would absorb $50.5 million in cuts, a number increased to $61.9 million after amendments from the Joint Finance Committee.
The Republican-controlled state Assembly then passed amendments putting the total cuts to the university at more than $100 million, an action that prompted action from the university, including system-wide hiring and admissions freezes.
After the Senate passes its version of the budget, a conference committee between both houses of the legislature will attempt to reach a compromise between the different versions of the budget. The budget then has to be signed by McCallum.
State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said while the changes made Tuesday are important, they do not necessarily represent the budget's final form.
""You have to realize that this is just one step,"" Risser said.
He added he was ""hopeful"" many changes would survive the conference committee.
According to the Senate plan, in-state tuition increases are capped at 8 percent. Also, financial aid will increase at the same rate as tuition under the proposal.
UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley said the caucus action would allow the university to continue funding the Madison Initiative, a public-private partnership that is part of the system-wide economic stimulus package.
""It is my hope that the budget that is adopted by the full Legislature and signed by the governor will also recognize the roles this university plays in educating tomorrow's work force and strengthening our state's economy,"" Wiley said.
The Senate Democrats' plan would cut $88 million less than the cuts passed by the Assembly and about $30 million less than those passed by the Joint Finance Committee.
Jay Smith, president of the UW System Board or Regents, said he looked forward to a ""swift conclusion of the budget.""
""[Tuesday's action] is a strong statement of priorities that recognizes the contribution the UW System makes to economic development,"" Smith said.
