Republicans vote to cut University of Wisconsin System's budget by $32M in diversity programs spat

Source: Associated Press

Republicans vote to cut University of Wisconsin System’s budget by $32M in diversity programs spat

By SCOTT BAUER and HARM VENHUIZEN
June 22, 2023

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican lawmakers voted to cut the University of Wisconsin System’s budget by $32 million on Thursday despite a projected record-high $7 billion state budget surplus, leaving the university nearly half a billion dollars short of what it requested.

The cut comes in reaction to Republican anger over diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs on the system’s 13 universities. Republican leaders have said the $32 million is what they estimated would be spent on those programs over the next two years.

“They need to refocus their priorities on being partners on developing our workforce and the future of the state, and we’re hopeful that they’re going to be ready to do that as we move forward,” Republican state Rep. Mark Born, co-chair of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee, said at a news conference.

The university system could get the $32 million back at a later date if it shows how it would be spent on workforce development efforts, and not diversity, equity and inclusion programs, lawmakers said. The GOP plan also aims to cut more than 180 diversity, equity and inclusion jobs on UW campuses.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/university-wisconsin-budget-legislature-cut-tuition-c654d9cb21317c7d0a868602019c2dcf