The Latest: UW regents approve tuition increases

MADISON, Wis. (AP) ��� The Latest on University of Wisconsin System regents’ actions Thursday (all times local):

1:45 p.m.

University of Wisconsin System leaders have signed off on raising out-of-state and graduate tuition by hundreds of dollars at a number of campuses.

The plan calls for raising out-of-state undergraduate tuition and graduate tuition at UW-Eau Clare, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Stout and as well as at all the system’s two-year institutions. The schools say they need the extra tuition dollars to bring nonresident rates more in line with peer institutions and retain faculty.

The move comes as the system continues to grapple with a freeze on in-state undergraduate tuition that’s now in its fourth year. It marks the third round of out-of-state and graduate tuition increases at La Crosse, Milwaukee and Stout since 2015.

The Board of Regents approved the increases on a voice vote Thursday.

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1:30 p.m.

University of Wisconsin System leaders have approved asking legislators for an additional $78 million to bulk up employee raises over the next two years.

System leaders say they need to increase raises to keep pace with salary increases at peer institutions. A memo they sent to regents shows that UW-Madison faculty salaries were 18 percent lower than peer faculty after adjustments for geographic costs of living. Chancellors and system leaders would have discretion in who would receive raises and how large the raises would be.

The money would come from the state’s compensation reserves, not tuition.

The Board of Regents on Thursday unanimously approved making the request to the Legislature’s employment relations committee.

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1:15 p.m.

University of Wisconsin System leaders have approved revisions to their sexual violence and harassment policies that call for online training.

The policy hasn’t been updated since 1987. System President Ray Cross asked a task force in 2014 to come up with recommendations for revisions.

The group’s changes include mandatory online training for every system student and employee as well as more in-depth training for supervisors and others involved in disciplinary matters.

The policy also now unequivocally states that no instructor may start a relationship with his or her student and relationships between employees in which one has authority over the other are prohibited unless the employee with authority reports the relationship and takes steps to mitigate the potential conflict.

The Board of Regents approved the changes unanimously Thursday.

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9:25 a.m.

Every student and employee in the University of Wisconsin System would have to undergo online training on sexual violence and harassment issues under a plan that regents are expected to approve Thursday.

The regents’ sexual harassment policy hasn’t been updated since 1987. System President Ray Cross asked a task force in 2014 to come up with recommendations for revisions.

The task force’s changes include mandatory online training for every system student and employee as well as more in-depth training for executives, supervisors, department heads and others involved in handing out discipline.

The policy also unequivocally states that no instructor may start a relationship with his or her student and relationships between employees in which one has authority over the other are prohibited unless the employee with authority reports the relationship and takes steps to mitigate the potential conflict.

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8:45 a.m.

University of Wisconsin System regents are expected to approve raising out-of-state and graduate tuition and give employees raises.

The regents are set to meet Thursday afternoon and vote on a plan to raise nonresident and graduate tuition by hundreds of dollars at six four-year campuses and all two-year schools.

The schools say they need the extra tuition dollars to bring nonresident rates more in line with peer institutions and retain faculty.

The regents also are scheduled to vote on asking legislators for about $78 million more over the next two years to fund employee raises. The money would come from the state’s compensation reserve, money lawmakers set aside to cover unforeseen pay increases.