The Weekly Update

Board of Regents

The Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin met virtually on Tuesday, April 15, and Wednesday, April 16. You can view meeting materials and meeting summary information on the website.

Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities Hearing

On Thursday, April 17, the Committee held an informational hearing on the Higher Education portion of the proposed 2025-27 state budget. The committee heard from invited speakers only. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman was present to testify and answer questions from the committee. Additionally, Wisconsin Technical College System President Layla Merrifield and Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities President Dr. Eric Fulcomer were also invited to testify.

Senate and Assembly Floor

Both the Senate and Assembly will be on the floor Tuesday, April 22. The Senate will convene at 12pm and the Assembly will convene at 1pm. You can view the Senate calendar on the website and the Assembly calendar on the website.

Assembly Bill 166, relating to: academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes, is scheduled to be voted on by the Assembly during the floor session on Tuesday. The Universities of Wisconsin did testify for information only on this legislation during the Assembly Committee on Education public hearing.

Joint Legislative Audit Committee

The Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 23, at 1pm on Audit Report 25-05: Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activities: Department of Administration; and Audit Report 25-06: Certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activities: University of Wisconsin System Institutions. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin have been invited to testify and answer questions on Audit Report 25-06.  

You will be able to view the public hearing on WisconsinEye.

Joint Committee on Finance Listening Sessions

The last two of the four listening sessions will take place on Monday, April 28, from 10am to 5pm in Hayward, and Tuesday, April 29, from 10am to 5pm in Wausau. 

You will be able to view both listening sessions on WisconsinEye.

Department of Education Appointees

Last week, the Department of Education announced additional appointees. You can find more information on the appointees and their backgrounds in the linked release.

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Last week, Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) announced an investigation into Harvard University’s compliance with civil rights laws. You can read more about the investigation in the linked release or via the letter to Harvard University President Alan Garber, which can be found here.

In the background of this, the U.S. Department of Education also announced an investigation into Harvard University related to reporting requirements within Section 117 of the Higher Education Act. At the time of the announcement, Secretary McMahon said, “As a recipient of federal funding, Harvard University must be transparent about its relations with foreign sources and governments. Unfortunately, our review indicated that Harvard has not been fully transparent or complete in its disclosures, which is both unacceptable and unlawful. This records request is the Trump Administration’s first step to ensure Harvard is not being manipulated by, or doing the bidding of, foreign entities, which include actors who are hostile to the interests of the United States and American students. We hope Harvard will respect its own motto and be truthful in its federal filings and foreign relationships.”

House and Senate Floor Schedules

The House of Representatives and Senate are in scheduled recess periods. Both chambers are set to return to Washington the week of April 28.