Among the amendments that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill proposes is the possible separation of the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the other UW system schools.

Currently, UW-Superior, along with 13 other schools form the UW system. The separation of UW-Madison from the system could have some serious reprocussions for UW-Superior.

“I am concerned about tuition, transfers, and trademark. First, regarding tuition: I suspect that were Madison to achieve public authority status, its tuition could rise, possibly steeply,” Dr. Nicholas Sloboda, UW-Superior's regent board member said. “This, in turn, could pressure other campuses to raise their tuition levels. Second, regarding transfers: right now, as a System, the transfer process is quite seamless.  Anytime a new entity is formed, previous agreements and arrangements may or may not be subject to change.”

Sloboda is also worried about the competetive edge that UW-Superior may lose should the UW-System schools be disconnected from UW-Madison.

“The name ‘University of Wisconsin’ also links us to a very well known and respected system, a system that, in fact, is being looked at as a model by other states," Sloboda said. "Having that connection to the state as a whole severed, in my opinion, does not strengthen the brand associated with the degree.”

UW-System president Kevin P. Reilly and a number of the other regents will be working on trying to amend the bill, says Dr. Sloboda, to ensure that proposed increased flexibilities include all of our campuses within our UW-System. Sloboda commended the passion of the students here on camps, whom have shown genuine concern about the separation.

“Their response has also been authentic and personal. I saw a real feeling of being connected with the State,” he remarked.

Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s bill which was passed by the state assembly, is currently at a standstill in the senate.