2008 Woodie Awards
Reciprocity showdown averted
In-state tuition deal's fate beyond four years remains unceratin
Bill Wirkus
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Negotiations continue between Wisconsin and Minnesota to preserve the three-decade old Interstate Tuition Reciprocity Program. Despite hopes in early February that differences would be resolved allowing the program to continue indefinitely, the deal's future is certain for only the next four years.
The program allows Minnesota residents to attend University of Wisconsin two- and four-year campuses for the same tuition as a comparable Minnesota school. The same is true for Wisconsin residents who wish to attend University of Minnesota schools and Minnesota State Colleges.
At issue, however, is the fact that the program, which is supposed to be of mutual benefit to both states, no longer is. Rising costs associated with education, such as employment and energy, have made a Minnesota education more expensive. However, under the reciprocity agreement, they must guarantee Wisconsin tuition to Wisconsin students who attend a Minnesota school.
Minnesota has threatened to pull the deal if it is not renegotiated to be fairer. Despite the warning, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education has assured current students that reciprocity will continue under the current terms of agreement for at least the next four years.
"We want students and families to understand that, under any scenario, the current reciprocity agreement will be in place for current and new students in the fall 2007," pledged Director of the Higher Education Office Susan Heegaard. Worried that students may stop seeking undergraduate degrees at their respective institutions, Minnesota and Wisconsin averted the impasse by temporarily continuing the program.
Spencer Crose, a UW-La Crosse junior from Minnesota, believes a decrease in enrollment resulting from the ending of reciprocity is a legitimate concern. "The chances of me having gone here would have been a lot less. The reciprocity agreement helps a great deal for any college student who may struggle financially," said Crose.
Furthermore, the reciprocity agreement may be to the economic benefit of both states. "Wisconsin is not gaining population as fast as some other states," notes Crosse. "They need more people to come in to stimulate the economy." He sees value for both states in continuing the program.
The program allows Minnesota residents to attend University of Wisconsin two- and four-year campuses for the same tuition as a comparable Minnesota school. The same is true for Wisconsin residents who wish to attend University of Minnesota schools and Minnesota State Colleges.
At issue, however, is the fact that the program, which is supposed to be of mutual benefit to both states, no longer is. Rising costs associated with education, such as employment and energy, have made a Minnesota education more expensive. However, under the reciprocity agreement, they must guarantee Wisconsin tuition to Wisconsin students who attend a Minnesota school.
Minnesota has threatened to pull the deal if it is not renegotiated to be fairer. Despite the warning, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education has assured current students that reciprocity will continue under the current terms of agreement for at least the next four years.
"We want students and families to understand that, under any scenario, the current reciprocity agreement will be in place for current and new students in the fall 2007," pledged Director of the Higher Education Office Susan Heegaard. Worried that students may stop seeking undergraduate degrees at their respective institutions, Minnesota and Wisconsin averted the impasse by temporarily continuing the program.
Spencer Crose, a UW-La Crosse junior from Minnesota, believes a decrease in enrollment resulting from the ending of reciprocity is a legitimate concern. "The chances of me having gone here would have been a lot less. The reciprocity agreement helps a great deal for any college student who may struggle financially," said Crose.
Furthermore, the reciprocity agreement may be to the economic benefit of both states. "Wisconsin is not gaining population as fast as some other states," notes Crosse. "They need more people to come in to stimulate the economy." He sees value for both states in continuing the program.
Be the first to comment on this story