Creating a Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Higher Education in the University of Wisconsin System. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

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, 2025. 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.

Who's behind it

19 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 19 are Democrats.

5 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From LFB
• Fiscal Estimate From WTCS