More than 10 students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison testified at a Joint Committee on Finance hearing Wednesday on the state biennial budget held in Lake Delton, asking for legislators’ support in funding the UW System and keeping tuition low.
United Council of UW Students President Geoff Murray requested the committee members support three key items with regard to Wisconsin universities: $181 million in new investments in the UW System, additional need-based financial aid and a 3 to 4 percent tuition cap.
Murray said these actions would help the UW System contribute to “a vibrant and prosperous Wisconsin” for the future.
Other students shared personal stories regarding their struggle to cope with rising tuition rates, which they said are affecting the accessibility and affordability of the UW System.
UW-Madison senior Max Love asked the committee to keep state universities affordable to all Wisconsin families, speaking about his great-great-grandmother, who also attended UW-Madison.
“One hundred and fifteen years later, I stand here today to ask you to keep accessibility and affordability in mind,” Love said. “I want you to take the responsibility to ensure that my great-great-grandkids can go to this institution.”
Many students said they have taken multiple part-time jobs and skipped meals or not purchased textbooks to save money while rising tuition has forced them to question their ability to return to college each semester.
The committee will hold two more official hearings, as well as additional hearings held by Democratic and Republican committee members, before making changes to Gov. Scott Walker’s biennial budget.
