UW System regents approve a 5.5% tuition hike

The 17-1 vote, with Regent John Drew of Milwaukee opposing, followed a lengthy debate about whether further belt-tightening could occur instead of a 5.5% tuition increase for a sixth consecutive year.

A 5.5% tuition increase is “very arbitrary because it’s the maximum allowed,” Dylan Jambrek, a recent UW-Eau Claire graduate and vice president of the United Council of UW Students, said after the regents approved the increase.

“If there was no cap, it would probably be a higher number,” said Jambrek, who sat near the front of the meeting room and was not holding a protest sign.