MORE DOYLE BUDGET TRICKS....

FROM THE STEVENS POINT JOURNAL...

State 'raids' $2.2M from UWSP

By Nick Paulson
Journal staff

The University of Wisconsin-System will need to forfeit $25 million in auxiliary funds to help increase financial aid and offset any tuition increase, as part of Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed budget.

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's share of that is a little more than $2.2 million. And while the money still will be used for education, those in charge of the money aren't happy with the state.

"Bottom line, it's a raid from the state on our reserves," said Joe Totman, UWSP's director of residential living. "It's frustrating because we're being responsible with students' money ... and the state kind of looks at it and says, 'Oh, there's a pool of money.'"

Residential living is just one of the auxiliary funds -- extra fees paid by students set aside for future projects -- that will be tapped. Dining services, health services and parking could all see their savings raided.

The money will go toward a program that would increase financial aid to any Wisconsin resident whose family makes less than the state medium income of $60,000. The financial aid would increase the same amount of any tuition increase.

Much of the auxiliary funds already have been earmarked for specific projects, so this withdrawal could drastically alter budgets. The Residential Living fund, with about $2 million, was to be used to buy furniture for a new residence hall, cutting the project cost and eventually loan interest.

Totman said he is expecting about 20 percent to 25 percent of that $2 million to be drained. At that level, the changes may be minimal, but Totman worries what will happen if it goes higher.

"If we have that taken away, what do we do? Do we delay that project? That's a $33.3 million project," said Bob Tomlinson, vice chancellor of student affairs. "Do we go back to the state to increase budget in the project so we can furnish that building? Or do we cut it from 330 rooms to 300 rooms that have furniture?"

UWSP does have some discretion about which auxiliary funds it will draw from. But most of the funds already have been designated, and no one wants to volunteer their money.

"They all have good reasons" to keep their funds, said Greg Diemer, vice chancellor of business affairs.

A group of administrators will meet next week to begin deciding what funds will be used. But instead of lobbying to keep it, Totman said he realizes the money will help others at UWSP.

"As a university, we stand together and fight together," he said.