Board advances $730 million operating request aimed at tuition predictability and workforce targets

Regent Paul Seowitz, presenting the Business & Finance committee report, described the 2027-29 operating budget request that the committee approved for submission to the Department of Administration. The proposal organizes investments around three promises — affordability, workforce, and research/healthcare — and requests an additional $730 million over two years to support campus operations, student aid, AI capabilities, and compensation adjustments. Seowitz said the proposal would "add 300,000 career ready graduates, provide upskilling to 1 million workers, and prepare 35,000 Wisconsin health care professionals."

The board took a voice vote on the resolutions tied to the committee report. A motion to approve resolutions D, E, F, G, H, and I was seconded and the chair announced the motion "passes." The transcript records the outcome as a successful voice vote but does not include a member-by-member roll call or a numerical tally in open session.

The board's request includes programmatic goals and policy language changes intended to stabilize university funding and increase administrative efficiency, along with appeals to the incoming governor and legislature to support dual‑enrollment expansion and workforce-focused initiatives. Committee materials and remarks attached to the motion will be transmitted with the formal request to state officials for consideration.