Tuition freeze could be cut from budget

UW-L’s Gow believes regents should set tuition.

The tuition freeze throughout the University of Wisconsin System could be on the chopping block.

It was part of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposals.

The tuition freeze was supposed to last through 2017-18 with a five-percent tuition cut the next year. 

UW-La Crosse chancellor Joe Gow doesn’t think that’s the best way to go about it.

“The intent is to help people with college affordability,” Gow said. “It probably would be better to put more money into financial aid.”

Several republicans have been against the proposal. Some have suggested scrapping the tuition freeze entirely, saying its unsustainable.

State rep. Jon Nygren, who co-chairs the joint finance committee, also wants to do away with the freeze. He also says it’s unsustainable, while Gow thinks it’s maybe time to give the power back to the UW regents.

“We’ve always felt that the regents are the people who have the responsibility to set the tuition level,” Gow said.