A rally held at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse was designed to generate support for increased funding for the public university system state wide.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) - A rally held at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse was designed to generate support for increased funding for the public university system state wide.
The rally was put on by the union that represents the academic staff and faculty at UW-L.
Multiple speakers including faculty, students, and community leaders such as La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds and State Representative Jill billings spoke about why funding for UW-system schools is so important to the success of the students and the school itself.
Avery Ladd-Winders, a Student Senator at UW-L, says that the leadership on campus is doing the best they can. However, they can only do so much.
"The issue lies with our Board of Regents and with our state legislature. they just don't have a focus. They've lost their focus on education, and I do not feel that they have the students best interest in mind anymore."
It used to be that 60% of a UW-system schools annual budget was paid for through state funding. Over the years that number has been cut down to 18.5%.
This lack of funding leads to higher tuition rates and increased fees that the students are left paying to make up for that deficit.
Event organizers emphasized the need for sustained pressure on elected officials to ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all Wisconsin residents.
