STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) — One of the tools that might help the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point absorb some of Governor Walker’s proposed budget cuts is called Differential Tuition. It’s where students pay extra every semester above the regular tuition so the campus has the resources to make sure there are enough instructors and openings to help get required courses done.
Stevens Point, Parkside, and Green Bay are the only three UW campuses that do not have some form of differential tuition.
Senator Julie Lassa says it’s time for the Legislature to approve this student-supported initiative to save students time and money, and get them working sooner. “When Governor Walker is talking about the fact that we have to do more about the workforce, one of the ways that we can help ease the workforce shortage is by making sure that students are getting out of the university with a high quality degree, and that they’re getting out in four years so that they can go out there and join the workforce.”
The problem with class shortages for required subjects is real. Lassa says allowing the differential tuition could eliminate this problem. “There were a number of students, when they were asked if they’ve experienced a time where they couldn’t get into a class that they needed for their degree, there were a whole bunch of hands that went up in the room, and I think that’s what Differential Tuition is really meant to tackle, is to help get rid of those bottlenecks so that students can graduate with their degree on time.”
Financially, students would be better off. A semester at UW Stevens Point is just over $3,700 dollars. Coming back for an extra semester in the fifth year to make up for unavailable courses costs students that plus room and board. Student Matthew Rosner says paying differential tuition would only be about $200 dollars more, or $1,600 dollars over four years, which is a much better value.
