Roughly 60 people gathered in the Tamarack Room in Davies Center to share thoughts and ideas with four members of the UW Board of Regents.

The three main topics of the listening session included the recruitment and retention of faculty and other staff, the effect of the UW system on the state’s economy and the rising cost of tuition.

“This is not a dialogue, nor is it a conversation,” Board of Regents president Toby Marcovich said shortly before the testimony began. “You’ll do all the talking. We’ll do all the listening.”

Four students from UW-Eau Claire spoke, including Student Senate president Chad Wade. He echoed previous speakers’ concerns about the affordability of college.

“For every dollar that tuition goes up and financial aid doesn’t, students are getting priced out,” Wade said to the board, later adding, “I come from a low-income family, and I’m $20,000 in debt. If not for financial aid, I wouldn’t be here.”

Wade said he is not completely against raising tuition, as the budget crisis has not left the UW System with a lot options. But, he cautioned, “raise it too much, and the education will suffer.”

Sophomore Avril Flaten said although she is working 15 to 20 hours per week outside of school, she is finding it increasingly difficult to pay for school. Her grades have slipped because of time constraints, she said.

“I think students can adjust to small increases, but not at the continual rate it’s going,” Flaten said. “And I’m not the only college student who has faced these circumstances.”

Other speakers came from around the Chippewa Valley and included business owners, Eau Claire alumni, members of neighboring UW schools and others.

Marcovich and regents in attendance are taking speakers’ thoughts seriously, he said. He said comments made during the session will go to committees that will discuss them and make recommendations to the full board.

“I was surprised by the large turnout of people who are obviously interested in what we’re trying to do in higher education,” Marcovich said.