The UW-Milwaukee programmatic differential tuitions primarily support academic and career advising, specialized equipment and technology for individual programs, and
enhanced course access and availability through additional clinical and ad hoc instructors. Increased maintenance costs for equipment and technology purchases and the increasing demand for these types of funds over the past five fiscal years have diminished the purchasing power of these differentials. Differential tuition increases will maintain the ability of the schools and colleges to support clinical and instructional programs, offer more and smaller class sections, and procure necessary equipment and technology. UW-Milwaukee proposes the following adjustments to the differential tuition levels:
UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts: The differential may increase up to three
percent in Fall 2009, four percent in Fall 2010, and five percent in Fall 2011 and beyond. The actual annual increase, up to the ceiling approved by the Board, will require approval from the Peck School of Arts Black and Gold Committee, the Provost, and the
UW-Milwaukee College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS): The differential may increase up to four percent in Fall 2009, five percent in Fall 2010, six percent in Fall 2011, and seven percent in Fall 2012 and beyond. The actual annual increase, up to the ceiling approved by the Board, will require approval from the CEAS Black and Gold Committee, the Provost, and the Chancellor. A four-percent increase would raise the differential from $20 per credit to $20.80 per credit in Fall 2009.
CEAS is requesting approval of a seven percent maximum increase, while the other three units have requested a five-percent limit. Scientific equipment is the only item that is purchased with the CEAS differential funds. The seven percent ceiling recognizes that the cost for these types of expenditures has typically risen at a higher rate in the past and that scientific equipment will need to be purchased often to provide students access to the latest technology.
UW-Milwaukee Lubar School of Business: The differential may increase up to three
percent in Fall 2009, four percent in Fall 2010, and five percent in Fall 2011 and beyond. The actual annual increase, up to the ceiling approved by the Board, will require approval from the Lubar School of Business Black and Gold Committee, the Provost, and the Chancellor. A three-percent increase would raise the differential from $20 per credit to $20.60 per credit in Fall 2009.
UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing: The differential may increase up to three percent in
Fall 2009, four percent in Fall 2010, and five percent in Fall 2011 and beyond. The actual annual increase, up to the ceiling approved by the Board, will require approval from the School of Nursing Black and Gold Committee, the Provost, and the Chancellor. A three-percent increase would increase the differential from $30 per credit to $30.90 per credit in Fall 2009.
The differential tuitions will not automatically increase by the full amount approved by the Board every year. Each spring semester, the administration in each school/college and the appropriate student body group will discuss the projected costs for the next fiscal year and evaluate any cash balances. Projected increases in base resident tuition for the next year will also be taken into account as each area remains sensitive to the overall cost of education. From these discussions, each student organization will have an opportunity to consider and approve an increase for the next academic year. Final approval will be required by the Provost and the Chancellor.
A variable annual increase in a differential tuition rate is currently used at UW-
Milwaukee in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning differential tuition, which was approved by the Board in 2006. The differential includes a provision to increase the rate by five percent annually unless the advisory committee concludes that a smaller increase would meet expected costs. Since 2006, the differential rate has not increased.
UW-Milwaukee’s experience with differential tuitions over the past five years confirms that these differentials do not decrease programs enrollments. UW-Milwaukee’s tuition rates for these programs remain competitively priced. Potential students are also
attracted by the instructional staff, equipment, and technology that the differential tuitions fund.
At UW-Milwaukee, the Black and Gold Committees are established in each school and college to represent students across class levels and disciplines. The Black and Gold Committees representing the students in these schools/colleges have reviewed the proposed differential ceilings and have written letters in support of the resolution.
RELATED REGENT POLICIES
Study of the UW System in the 21st Century. (June 1996)
Differential Tuition for Select Schools and Colleges: UW-Milwaukee (February 2004) UW-Milwaukee Review of Differential Tuition For Select Schools and Colleges (February 2008)
REVISED
BUSINESS, FINANCE, AND AUDIT COMMITTEE Resolution:
That, upon the recommendation of the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the Board of Regents approves an annual three percent adjustment to the existing UW-Oshkosh undergraduate differential tuition. Beginning in Fall 2009, the differential tuition rate will be $56.65 per semester ($113.30 per year) and will be adjusted by three percent annually through Fall 2012.
ADJUSTMENT OF THE UNDERGRADUATE DIFFERENTIAL TUITION