Students at the
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point have overwhelmingly voted in favor of differential
tuition.
Sixty-two percent
of students voting in an online referendum held Nov. 11-12 said “yes.”
Differential
tuition will be used to support student success in two vital areas: adding
instructors to relieve bottlenecks in high-demand courses so students can
graduate on time; and creating a new academic advising model that is more
responsive to student needs in each of the four colleges.
A total of 3,308
students voted, more than double the turnout of any previous student vote. In
2014, 1,540 students voted in a referendum on building new health and wellness
facilities, the previous high.
Katie Cronmiller, president of the Student Government Association,
which led the educational campaign on differential tuition, known as The
Pointer Partnership, was elated. “We are all overwhelmed with the student
turnout and incredibly proud of all of the work everyone put in to educate
students,” she said. “I am hopeful the implementation of the Pointer
Partnership will have a lasting, positive impact on this university for
students.”
The UW Board of Regents will next
consider differential tuition when it meets in December. If approved, it could
be implemented by the fall 2016 semester.
“It was a decisive win for our
students and an excellence example of shared governance in action,” said
Chancellor Bernie Patterson.
The proposal calls for students to pay an
additional $200 per semester. The
additional fee would be used exclusively for adding academic advisers and
instructors in high-demand required courses. Differential tuition will be
phased in for upperclassmen. Seniors would pay nothing the first year and $100
the second year.
Ten other UW
universities have differential tuition, most at higher levels. UW-La Crosse students
pay $643, and UW-Eau Claire students pay $531 each semester.
“This
added support, directly to UW-Stevens Point, will truly be transformational to
our university and our students’ success,” Patterson said.
“It
has been a remarkable and inspiring experience to witness the campus engaging
in this discussion,” Cronmiller said in announcing the results to students this
morning. “Thanks especially to our students for educating themselves, learning
more about the issues, asking insightful questions and ultimately voting in
this direct student referendum.”
“The results will move us toward a
model that begins to level the playing field with other UW campuses. Most
importantly, it helps ensure our true mission – student success,” Patterson
said to faculty and staff.