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Open in new tab Hillman Recommendations on Outcomes-Based Funding Proposal
Nicholas Hillman
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education professor Nicholas Hillman, an expert on higher education financing and state funding models, prepared the following recommendation for members of the Joint Committee on Finance as they consider an outcomes-based funding proposal in the 2017-19 state budget.
The committee is scheduled to discuss the University of Wisconsin System portion of the 2017-19 state budget at noon, Thursday, May 25. Livestream coverage is available on WisconsinEye.
Legislative Fiscal Bureau Budget Papers
The following papers were prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau in advance of the Joint Finance Committee executive session on the University of Wisconsin System portion of the 2017-19 biennial budget.
Each paper includes a summary of Governor Walker’s budget provision and discussion points, along with options for the committee to consider when voting on that particular budget item.
Legislative Update
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee statewide public hearings on the 2017-19 budget proposal last month and began voting on individual items last week. PROFS is meeting with university and legislative leaders to discuss several items in the budget proposal:
State funding tied to performance measures The Board of Regents would rank all UW institutions and distribute funds based on:
- Affordability/Attainability, 30%
- Student Success in State Workforce, 30%
- Work Readiness, 15%
- Efficiency, 10%
- Additional Criteria, 15%
UW Pay plan A pay plan tied to presumed savings from a switch to self-insurance (see below) for all state employees would be offered in 2018 and 2019.
Policy Items in the budget The co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee said last month all policy items in the budget would be removed, but could be considered after being vetted in committee or as part of the committee’s omnibus motion. Several policy items dealt with the university:
- Require the Board of Regents to create policies for the monitoring and reporting of teaching workload and a mechanism to reward those who teach more than an undefined “standard academic workload.”
- Add language to state statutes that would give the university new power to regulate expression and criticism of that expression.
- Allow students to opt out of allocable segregated fees.
- Require institutions to develop 3-year degree programs.
- Require students to have internship/work experience before graduating.
- Require 60 credits transferable between UW and WTCS.
Self-Insurance
The Group Insurance Board recommended a switch to self-insurance beginning in 2018, but the Joint Finance Committee must review the proposed changes before they go into effect. The committee received the formal recommendation to switch to self-insurance today and has 21 days to decide whether or not to reject the plan. The committee co-chairs and other members have publicly expressed concern over the plan in the past.
Video from the PROFS/ASPRO forum on self-insurance is here.
Campus Free Speech Legislation
Several legislators, including the chairs of the Legislature’s higher education committees, announced their plans to introduce legislation that would direct the Board of Regents to draft a free speech policy that encourages all points of view. Regents would also be required to create rules that discipline students who interfere with campus free speech. PROFS is concerned about the reach of these proposals and has begun working with UW free speech experts on a response to these proposals.
AB 299 (below), sponsored by Representative Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) was introduced last week, and Senator Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) intends to introduce legislation (below) later this month.
Joint Finance Committee Removes Non-Fiscal Policy Items from Budget Proposal
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee removed 83 non-fiscal policy items from Governor Walker’s budget proposal, including rules on faculty teaching load and freedom of expression on UW campuses. The committee chairs say the items should be considered as non-budget legislation by other committees.
Several additional provisions removed by the co-chairs relate to the University of Wisconsin System, including:
- allowing students to opt out of certain allocable fees
- requiring students to have work experience or an internship before graduation
- requiring campuses to outline a plan for three-year degrees
April Board of Regents Meeting
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will meet at UW-Platteville Thursday and Friday, April 6 and 7. All meetings will be held in Ullsvik Hall, 30 South Hickory Street in Platteville. Livestream coverage of the full board portions of the meeting is available here.
Regents meet in committee Thursday morning:
The Education Committee will discuss several new degree programs at UW-Milwaukee and consider the four post-tenure review policies, including UW-Madison’s policy (below) approved by the Faculty Senate in March.
The Business and Finance Committee will review UW System’s annual financial report and consider several contractual agreements, including an Amazon pick-up point at UW-Madison.
The Capital Planning and Budget Committee will consider several campus design reports, including the construction of a new Southeast Recreational Facility at UW-Madison.
The Research, Economic Development, and Innovation Committee will hear an update from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and a report on industry partnerships from UW-Platteville Dean Wayne Weber.
The Audit Committee will discuss best practices letters to chancellors and the 2017 Progress Plan Audit Report.
The full board meets Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Thursday, UW-Platteville Chancellor Dennis Shields will speak on comprehensive universities as stewards of place in their communities. The regents will also discuss UW System accountability and 2020FWD reporting.
On Friday regents will hear from UW System President Ray Cross and Board of Regents President Regina Millner. The Board will also present the 2017 Teaching Excellence Awards.
Ray Cross Testimony to Joint Finance Committee
University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross spoke to the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee last Thursday, March 30.
Cross focused on four areas: affordability, accountability, compensation and infrastructure. His prepared remarks are below.
Joint Finance Committee Public Hearings on Governor Walker’s 2017-19 State Budget
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee announced six public hearings on Governor Scott Walker’s 2017-19 biennial budget proposal. None are in the Madison area, but one will be held at UW-Platteville on Monday, April 3 from 10 am until 5 pm.
PROFS State Budget Forum
PROFS hosted a public forum on the state budget on Thursday, March 16. PROFS President Judith Burstyn moderated. State Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna), Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships Ben Miller, and PROFS Legislative Representative Jack O’Meara were panelists.
March Board of Regents Meeting
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents is meeting in Madison today, March 9. All meetings will be held in Gordon Dining and Event Center, 770 West Dayton Street. Livestream coverage of the full board meeting is here.
The Subcommittee on Investments and Committee on Education will meet before the full board begins at 9:30 am. The education committee will consider the post-tenure review policies of UW-Extension, UW-Parkside and UW-Stout.
The full board will hear updates from UW System President Ray Cross and Board of Regents President Regina Millner. Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, will lead a discussion on public higher education and Susan Baxter, Executive Director of the California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology, will discuss Cal State’s system-wide biotechnology efforts.