AB 379

This bill creates a 19-member Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Higher

Education in the University of Wisconsin System. Members of the commission

include the presidents of the UW System and the Technical College System; faculty,

staff, and students of the UW System and technical colleges; a higher education

expert and a workforce development expert; two legislators; and the governor. The

commission must study, and facilitate discussion of, a public agenda for higher

education; a set of long-term goals and priorities for higher education; and

accessibility and affordability of higher education. In addition, the commission must

study and develop recommendations with all of the following objectives: 1) to define

the goals of higher education for this state; 2) to identify strengths to continue and

expand, and weaknesses that need to be improved, in this state's institutions of

higher education; 3) to identify demographic trends affecting higher education in the

state; 4) to identify strategies to enhance the state's attainment rate; 5) to encourage

and develop innovations among institutions of higher education; 6) to encourage and

develop partnerships between the UW System and the Technical College System; 7)

to explore strategies to strengthen access and equity in higher education for students

and potential students; 8) to explore strategies to reduce barriers to enrollment and

degree completion; 9) to explore sustainable funding sources in state support and

examine state funding challenges; and 10) to identify new ways to administer

financial aid. The commission must submit a report to the legislature that includes

all of this information by December 31, 2023. Upon submission of the report, the

commission terminates, unless the governor renews the commission for an

additional two-year period. The governor may continue to renew the commission for

successive two-year periods.