Evers vetoes UW free speech, aid, online course fee bills

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a set of three University of Wisconsin-related bills Friday that included free speech protections on campus, a block of additional online course fees and a bill that would change minority programs to programs for disadvantaged students.

Senate Bill 532 would prevent University of Wisconsin schools from assessing the online class fees unless the school can show actual additional costs to conduct the classes online.

Bill sponsors say that fees for online-only or hybrid courses can add up and be a hidden way for the university to add cost to college.

Evers called the bill an attempt to undermine the Board of Regents.

“If lawmakers sincerely cared about the soaring costs of higher education for students on Wisconsin campuses, they would have approved any number of the countless measures and investments I have proposed over my tenure to ensure the University of Wisconsin System can survive and thrive without having to frequently rely on raisi...