According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said yesterday that the UW System will not be able to get the $32 million set aside by the Legislature for UW workforce programs unless it eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The announcement follows Gov. Tony Evers’ veto of a budget provision that would have cut 188.8 positions from the system’s DEI programs.
The Republican-controlled Legislature had proposed cutting $32 million in funding relating to those positions and giving the system the opportunity to request that money instead for workforce opportunities; however, the Legislature’s finance committee would have to sign off on the request.
The system’s budget will be flat only if the UW System obtains the $32 million, despite the system’s initial request for an additional $435.6 million in funding.
System officials said Thursday morning that they would bring workforce initiative plans to the Legislature’s budget committee for approval; leaders acknowledged the need to find areas to cut because of the $32 million decrease but did not discuss eliminating DEI.
UW System Vice President for Finance and Administration Sean Nelson said the System’s anticipated structural deficit after the $32 million cut is $47.2 million.
