Kyle Seidel

On the same day of a hearing for State Rep. Rob Kreibich’s, R-Eau Claire, tuition cap proposal, three Democratic state representatives proposed increases in financial aid to help offset rising tuition costs.

Madison representatives Spencer Black, Mark Pocan and Joe Parisi announced plans to increase appropriations for the Wisconsin Higher Education Grants program by about $17 million over the course of the biennium, according to a press release.

With his proposal, tuition would, in effect, freeze for Wisconsin students at or below the state median family income of $46,000.

With the possibility of tuition rising as much as 14 percent during the next two years, Black said he proposed the bill because of his concern for the well-being of students.

“I do know that there is an increasing concern about the rising cost of tuition and the fact that many young people could be priced out of the opportunity to pursue higher education,” Black said.

Kreibich agreed that Wisconsin’s public higher education must remain affordable, but said increasing financial aid while raising tuition will make education less accessible for middle-class students.

“Over the past four years we’ve been on a roller-coaster ride,” he said. “More financial aid is not the answer.”

Kreibich’s proposal would cap tuition increases at 3 percent each year during the 2005-2007 biennium.

“Our goal is to create predictable, moderate tuition increases,” he said.

At Wednesday’s hearing, some UW System administrators argued against the proposal, saying it would result in reduced overall funding for the Wisconsin’s public higher education.

“I think Kreibich was going in the right direction,” said sophomore Student Senator Jon Radcliffe, who authored a resolution passed by Senate last week supporting a tuition cap only if accompanied by increased state funding for higher education.

“The reason I don’t like it is it is a 3 percent cap, but it doesn’t come with more money from the state. … That’s really not helping students at all,” Radcliffe said. “I would support his proposal as long as it came with more funds from the state.”

Radcliffe said a financial aid increase also could benefit students, but remains concerned about a possible negative impact on middle-income students.

“There’s a lot of students that won’t declare independent (status) because they get better health insurance from their parents’ plan,” Radcliffe said. “Increasing tuition is really pricing them out of their education.”

Black said Kreibich’s proposal lacks the necessary means to cut tuition costs and maintain quality education at the same time.

“The problem with the tuition cap is there’s no funding,” Black said. “I support the tuition cap but I support providing sufficient money to cap tuition without harming the university.”

Black said UW System students have done a good job voicing concerns over rising tuition and should continue to contact their legislators regarding the issue.