The Weekly Update

Board of Regents

The Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin will meet virtually on Thursday, March 5 starting at 9am.

You can access the meeting materials and the videoconference link here.

You can view a summary of the meeting here once available.

Please check back for future updates. 

Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development

The Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development will be holding a public hearing Tuesday, March 3, at 10:30am on AB 1034, relating to: name, image, and likeness rights for University of Wisconsin System student athletes; maintenance costs for University of Wisconsin–Madison intercollegiate athletic facilities; and making an appropriation. The UWs registered in favor of this legislation and UW-Madison testified in favor during the public hearing in the Assembly.

You can watch the meeting on WisconsinEye.  

Joint Committee on Finance

The Joint Committee on Finance will be holding a Section 13.10 meeting and an executive session on Tuesday, March 3, at 10:30am. AB 659, relating to: tuition and fee remission or grants for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education; and the University of Wisconsin System nonresident tuition exemption for certain veterans, is included on the executive session agenda. This bill passed the Assembly floor on a 94-2 vote.

You can watch the meeting on WisconsinEye.

Senate Universities and Technical Colleges

The Senate Universities and Technical Colleges Committee will be holding a public hearing on Wednesday, March 4, at 12pm. The following UW related bills are on the agenda:

• SB 868, Relating to: permissible financial aid reductions in higher education.
• SB 751, Relating to: the appointment of certain employees of the University of Wisconsin System and faculty governance.
• SB 818, Relating to: demonstration charter school operators.
• SB 1023, Relating to: admission to University of Wisconsin System institutions.

Department of Education Announcement

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced additional interagency agreements designed to “ensure efficient delivery of funded programs and activities, and continue delivering on the President’s promise to return education to the states.”

At the time of the announcement, Secretary McMahon said, “As we continue to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states, our new partnerships with the State Department and HHS represent a practical step toward greater efficiency, stronger coordination, and meaningful improvement. Foreign gift data reported by universities should be readily accessible to our top national security experts, allowing for proactive and decisive action to protect America’s critical interests, as this partnership with State enables. By leveraging HHS’s extensive emergency preparedness capabilities, we are creating a stronger foundation for supporting students and strengthening the safety of the school building. Together, these efforts strengthen accountability and security in our education system, ensuring it serves students and families above all else.”

Reforming the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)

Last week, the Department of Education announced the receipt of a report from “U.S. Department of Education Senior Advisor Dr. Amber Northern with suggestions on how to reform the Institute for Education Sciences (IES). The report entitled Reimagining the Institute of Education Sciences outlines her recommendations to ensure IES provides state and local policymakers, educators, and relevant stakeholders with high-quality, actionable research and data.

At the time of the announcement, Acting IES Director Matthew Soldner said, “Building rigorous, objective data and evidence in service of improving student outcomes is at the heart of everything we do at IES. I look forward to considering how Dr. Northern’s recommendations can further that work and help ensure educators and policymakers have the information they need to make a positive difference in the lives of our nation’s learners.”

Full House and Senate Hearing Schedule

If interested, you can see a full list of upcoming hearings on the Senate Hearings & Meetings Page. A review of the committee hearings in the House of Representatives is available via the Committee Schedule within the House of Representatives Legislative Activity section on the Chamber’s main page.  

House and Senate Floor Schedules

When the House of Representatives and Senate return to Washington this week, a full list of votes will be found on the respective websites for the House of Representatives and the Senate.