Capitol Update

UW Colleges: An Important Role
The University of Wisconsin Colleges are the UW System’s network of freshman and sophomore campuses. The goal of the UW Colleges is to prepare students to transfer into four year and professional programs, though some campuses offer bachelor degrees as well in collaboration with other university system campuses. Recently, the Chancellor of UW Colleges System, Cathy Sandeen, has announced a plan to restructure and reorganize administration.

Importantly, the focus has been on protecting student education while consolidating administration and controlling costs. The past 10 years have seen student enrollment rise modestly from 12,597 in 2005 to 14,172 in 2014. Spending per student has also risen from $6,674 in 2005 to $7,945.
 

This process has led the UW Colleges to seek a conversion to a system of regional management. Administrative and executive positions at each individual campus will be grouped at the regional level. Campus Executive Officers, Deans, Associate Deans, Marketing and Finance positions, etc. will no longer be overseeing one campus, but instead will be overseeing a region of three to four campuses. Nearly 30% of administrative positions will be reorganized. No teaching positions will be affected, with the goal being to minimize any impacts to student learning.

UW-Richland, along with UW-Baraboo/Sauk County and UW-Rock County, will be combined into the Southwest Region of schools. This consolidation of administrative functions, along with other cost cutting measures, is expected to save the system $6 million annually. Importantly, less than one percent will be reduced from the instructional budget used for the education of students. With student loans becoming a major burden for not only students but also their families, controlling the cost of education is an important goal.

For more information and to connect with me, visit my website http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have input, ideas or need assistance with any state-related matters.

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) released the following on identity theft among college students. With college students being back on campus and classes starting up again, it is important to keep yourself protected. Check out the full release below.

DATCP NEWS RELEASE: Identity Theft Risks Don't End at the Campus Gates

Release Date: August 18, 2015
Media Contact: Jerad Albracht, Senior Communications Specialist, 608-224-5007 or Bill Cosh, Communications Director, 608-224-5020

MADISON – College life poses unique risks of identity theft for students, with tempting credit card offers, shared housing, and countless forms and information that must be provided. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection urges students to study up on ways to minimize the threat of identity theft.

“Identity theft can be incredibly damaging to young adults' credit and tax records, hindering their ability to secure student loans, buy a vehicle, or apply for a job,” said Frank Frassetto, Administrator for the Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. “Students may be unprepared to protect themselves from a steady stream of credit offers, constant requests for personally identifiable information on official forms, or a living situation where many people may be in and out of your room or apartment.”

Here are some helpful tips for students to minimize the risk of identity theft:

Don't:

• Carry your Social Security card in your wallet.

• Shop online or pay bills on a public computer, through an unsecured website, or on an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

• Give solicitors any personal financial information or your Social Security number.

• Post personal identifying information on social media.

Do:

• Keep your dorm room locked and keep sensitive materials out of sight, preferably in a lockbox.

• Request an assigned ID number instead if your school uses Social Security numbers for student ID.

• Ask that your Social Security number not be included on publicly posted grades.

• Shred pre-approved credit card offers and bills.

• Put mail directly in U.S. Postal Service mailboxes instead of unsecured campus mailboxes.

For additional information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, call the Consumer Information Hotline at 800-422-7128 or e-mail datcphotline@wisconsin.gov.


 

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State Capitol - Room 8 South - Post Office Box 7882 - Madison, Wisconsin 53707 - Phone: (608) 266-0703