Chapter 36

36.32 36.32 Student identification numbers.

36.32(1) (1) In this section, “institution of higher education” means an institution within the system or a private educational institution located in this state that awards a bachelor’s or higher degree or provides a program that is acceptable toward such a degree.

36.32(2) (2) An institution of higher education may assign to each student enrolled in the institution a unique identification number. An institution of higher education shall not assign to any student an identification number that is identical to or incorporates the student’s social security number. This subsection does not prohibit an institution of higher education from requiring a student to disclose his or her social security number, nor from using a student’s social security number if such use is required by a federal or state agency or private organization in order for the institution or the student to participate in a particular program.

36.32 History History: 2003 a. 282 ss. 1 to 3.

36.33 36.33 Agricultural lands.

36.33(1) (1) Legislative intent. The legislature finds and determines that, because of the problems resulting from the development of cities, villages, towns, and counties around certain agricultural lands of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the desirability of consolidating lands used for agricultural instruction, research and extension purposes, the desirability of disposing of agricultural lands no longer needed by the university and the need for land of better quality and of greater quantity for the purpose of improving and expanding agricultural research, it is in the public interest for the board to sell, lease, or exchange, in whole or in part, the agricultural lands and improvements thereon owned by the board and used by the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the purpose of agricultural instruction and research and to purchase or otherwise acquire other agricultural lands or other lands intended to be used by the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the purpose of agricultural instruction and research. The foregoing policy determination is made without reference to or intention of limiting the powers which the board may otherwise have. The purchase or acquisition of lands or interests therein under this subsection is exempt from s. 20.914 (1).

36.33(2) (2) Method of sale or lease; assessments.

36.33(2)(a) (a) The board, in selling or leasing any part of the agricultural lands and improvements thereon under sub. (1), shall sell or lease on the basis of either of the following:

36.33(2)(a)1. 1. Public bids, with the board reserving the right to reject any or all bids in the best interest of the state.

36.33(2)(a)2. 2. Negotiated prices.

36.33(2)(b) (b) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the lands sold, leased, or exchanged under sub. (1) shall be subject to special assessments for public improvements by cities, villages, and towns, in the same manner and to the same extent as privately owned lands, if the public improvements are of direct and substantial benefit to the lands that have been platted for sale.

36.33(3m) (3m) Exchange. The board may exchange under sub. (1) part or all of any parcel of agricultural land for any other land of approximately equal value if all of the following are satisfied:

36.33(3m)(a) (a) The lands exchanged are of a like kind.

36.33(3m)(b) (b) The board determines that the exchange contributes to the consolidation or completion of a block of land, enhances the conservation of agricultural lands, or is otherwise in the public interest.

36.33(4) (4) Proceeds. The net proceeds from the sale, lease, exchange, purchase, or other acquisition of agricultural lands and improvements under sub. (1) shall be deposited into a nonlapsible fund for the purpose of purchasing additional land under sub. (1) or erecting facilities for research and instruction in animal husbandry, agricultural engineering, and agricultural and life sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Such funds shall become available only upon consent and recommendation of the board and, if used for the erection of facilities, upon authorization by the building commission. Authorization of the building commission is not required to make such funds available for the purchase of land.

36.33 History History: 1973 c. 335; 1977 c. 418; 1983 a. 36 s. 96 (4); 1995 a. 225; 2001 a. 103; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 230.

36.335 36.335 Sale of other land; buildings and structures. If the board sells any real property under its jurisdiction, the board shall credit the net proceeds of the sale to the appropriation account under s. 20.285 (1) (gb) except that if there is any outstanding public debt used to finance the acquisition, construction, or improvement of any property that is sold, the board shall deposit a sufficient amount of the net proceeds from the sale of the property in the bond security and redemption fund under s. 18.09 to repay the principal and pay the interest on the debt, and any premium due upon refunding any of the debt. If the property was acquired, constructed, or improved with federal financial assistance, the board shall pay to the federal government any of the net proceeds required by federal law. If the property was acquired by gift or grant or acquired with gift or grant funds, the board shall adhere to any restriction governing use of the proceeds.

36.335 History History: 2009 a. 28 s. 3407; Stats. 2009 s. 36.335; 2011 a. 32; 2015 a. 230.

36.34 36.34 Minority student programs.

36.34(1) (1) Ben R. Lawton minority undergraduate grant program.

36.34(1)(a) (a) In this subsection “minority undergraduate” means an undergraduate student who:

36.34(1)(a)1. 1. Is a Black American.

36.34(1)(a)2. 2. Is an American Indian.

36.34(1)(a)3. 3. Is a Hispanic, as defined in s. 16.287 (1) (d).

36.34(1)(a)4. 4. Is a person who is admitted to the United States after December 31, 1975, and who either is a former citizen of Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia or whose ancestor was or is a citizen of Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia.

36.34(1)(b) (b) The board shall establish a grant program for minority undergraduates enrolled in the system. The board shall designate all grants under this subsection as Lawton grants. The board may not make a grant under this subsection to a person whose name appears on the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), unless the person provides to the board a payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and that is consistent with rules promulgated under s. 49.858 (2) (a).

36.34 History History: 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 27 ss. 666g, 666i, 670 to 673, 675; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 404; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25, 254; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32.

36.35 36.35 Misconduct; campus security.

36.35(1) (1) Power to suspend; rules. The board may delegate the power to suspend or expel students for misconduct or other cause prescribed by the board. Subject to sub. (4), the board shall promulgate rules under ch. 227 governing student conduct and procedures for the administration of violations.

36.35(2) (2) Authority to restrict presence of persons on campus. The chancellor of each institution or the chief security officer thereof during a period of immediate danger or disruption may designate periods of time during which the campus and designated buildings and facilities connected therewith are off limits to all persons who are not faculty, academic staff, employees, students or any other personnel authorized by the above named officials. Any person violating such order shall be subject to the penalties provided by law for criminal trespass.

36.35(3) (3) Requiring permission for presence on campus. Any person who is convicted of any crime involving danger to property or persons as a result of conduct by that person which obstructs or seriously impairs activities run or authorized by an institution and who, as a result of such conduct, is in a state of suspension or expulsion from the institution, and who enters property of that institution without permission of the chancellor of the institution or the chancellor’s designee within 2 years, may for each such offense be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.

36.35(4) (4) Underage alcohol violations. The board or an institution or college campus may not impose any of the following disciplinary sanctions against a student for the student’s violation of s. 125.07 (4) (a) or (b), if the student is exempt under s. 125.07 (5) from issuance of a citation for, or conviction of, the violation:

36.35(4)(a) (a) Removal from a course in progress.

36.35(4)(b) (b) Enrollment restrictions on a course or program.

36.35(4)(c) (c) Suspension or expulsion.

36.35(4)(d) (d) Exclusion from student housing.

36.35 History History: 1973 c. 335; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (1); 1991 a. 316; 2015 a. 279.

36.35 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. UWS 14 and 17, Wis. adm. code.

36.36 36.36 Grants for study abroad. The board may award a grant of up to $2,000 to a resident undergraduate student to assist in paying the costs associated with the student’s study abroad if the student satisfies all of the following criteria:

36.36(1) (1) The student demonstrates financial need for the grant, as determined by the board.

36.36(2) (2) The student is enrolled full-time in the system in the semester preceding the student’s study abroad.

36.36(3) (3) The student is enrolled in a program leading to an associate or bachelor’s degree.

36.36 History History: 1999 a. 9, 152; 2011 a. 32.

36.37 36.37 Downer Woods and buildings preservation.

36.37(1) (1) Statement of purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote the permanent conservation and enhancement, by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, of the area known as Downer Woods; to designate and protect, as a permanent conservancy area, at least 10 acres of the woods; and to permit limited modification, in a manner consistent with the aforesaid purposes, of that portion of the woods whose present character as park and woodland lends itself to utilization, by the university and the surrounding community, as essential recreational and aesthetic corridors.

36.37(2) (2) Legislative findings. The legislature finds it in the public interest to recognize and foster the principle of environmental quality in the area known as Downer Woods by preserving it as a conservancy area and protecting it, consistent with sub. (4), from encroachment or disparate uses. The woods is the sole remaining natural area remaining on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and as such, its preservation and enhancement is consistent with the university’s recognition of its need to protect and enhance its own physical environment, and to serve the pressing human need of its faculty, students and staff, as well as the greater Milwaukee community, to live and work in an urban environment which respects those portions of unspoiled nature which yet exist. The woods is a unique asset; it provides visual relief to the concentrated building pattern surrounding it, complements the urban landscape and affords aesthetically and psychologically attractive places for people to congregate and relax. In addition, the woods serves as a refuge for wildlife and vegetation, and is, therefore, an important educational, scientific and ecological resource to the university and the community. Its presence imparts priceless recreational and aesthetic values.

36.37(3) (3) Definitions. In this section, “Downer Woods” or “the woods” means those parcels of wood, parkland and buildings comprising more than 21.4337 acres located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and divided into 5 separate and distinct categories, which categories shall define the proper and permissible uses of the parcels, as follows:

36.37(3)(a) (a) Permanent conservation area, consisting of 11.101 acres, which is to be physically defined by means of fencing or other suitable means.

36.37(3)(b) (b) Permanently reserved woodland, consisting of 3.018 acres.

36.37(3)(c) (c) Park and woodland areas, consisting of 4.686 acres, which may be subject to limited modification, such as landscaping, but which are to be protected from disparate uses and encroachment.

36.37(3)(d) (d) The buildings and grounds of the former Downer college with any reconstruction or renovation which may be authorized by the board.

36.37(3)(e) (e) Park and woodland areas, consisting of 2.6287 acres, which may be subject to limited modifications, such as landscaping and utility lines.

36.37(4) (4) Downer Woods conservation.

36.37(4)(a) (a) That portion of Downer Woods designated a permanent conservation area is to be forever protected from encroachment or disparate uses, and its boundaries are to be defined and protected by fencing or other suitable means. The chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station, shall prepare and implement a Downer Woods natural area management and restoration plan to ensure that the conservation area is managed properly as a natural area.

36.37(4)(b) (b) That portion of Downer Woods designated as permanently reserved woodland shall be set aside exclusively for purposes of community enhancement and relaxation, and any disparate uses to or encroachments upon such land is prohibited except for the purpose of constructing an addition and providing service to Sandburg Hall, which may not exceed 0.75 acres. The board shall grant a temporary easement sufficient to facilitate the construction of the addition, and whenever necessary to facilitate the maintenance of Sandburg Hall, conditioned upon the ecological restoration of the area within the easement.

36.37(4)(c) (c) Those portions of Downer Woods designated as park and woodland areas under sub. (3) (c) and (e) may be used by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as recreational and aesthetic corridors. Any modifications made to such portions of the woods under sub. (3) (c) and (e) may not significantly alter the present character of such land, and any disparate uses to or encroachments upon such land are prohibited.

36.37(4)(d) (d) The buildings of the former Downer college shall be preserved and no portion thereof may be razed without prior approval of the building commission.

36.37 History History: 1973 c. 335; 1975 c. 386; 1997 a. 226.

36.40 36.40 Use of animals for research purposes. The board shall adopt criteria for researchers to follow regarding humane treatment of animals for scientific research purposes.

36.40 History History: 1983 a. 27.

36.43 36.43 Accommodation of religious beliefs. The board shall promulgate rules providing for the reasonable accommodation of a student’s sincerely held religious beliefs with regard to all examinations and other academic requirements. The rules shall include all of the following:

36.43(1) (1) Written and timely notification of all students and instructors of the rules and complaint process.

36.43(2) (2) A means by which a student can conveniently and confidentially notify an instructor of potential conflicts.

36.43(3) (3) A means by which a student is permitted to make up an examination or academic requirement at another time or by an alternative means without any prejudicial effect.

36.43(4) (4) A procedure for handling and resolving complaints within each institution.

36.43 History History: 1991 a. 227; 1997 a. 237.

36.43 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. UWS 22, Wis. adm. code.

36.44 36.44 License plate scholarship programs. The board shall establish a scholarship program at each of the institutions specified in s. 341.14 (6r) (f) 35. to 47. The program at each institution shall be funded by the fees collected under s. 341.14 (6r) (b) 4. for that institution and the scholarships shall be awarded by the chancellor of each institution according to criteria developed by the chancellor.

36.44 History History: 1989 a. 31; 2015 a. 55.

36.45 36.45 Research funding.

36.45(3) (3) By September 1, 1992, and biennially thereafter by September 1, the board shall report to the governor and the joint committee on finance the purpose, duration, cost and anticipated completion date of all research and public service projects for which the board is expending general purpose revenue.

36.45(4) (4) The board shall report annually by September 1 to the joint committee on finance the number of research contracts considered under processes established under s. 36.11 (55m) (e) and the outcome of those contracts.

36.45 History History: 1991 a. 39; 2013 a. 289; 2015 a. 55.

36.48 36.48 Alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and intervention programs. The board shall appoint alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and intervention program counselors for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The counselors shall develop alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and intervention programs and train faculty, academic staff and university staff in the prevention of and early intervention in alcohol and other drug abuse.

36.48 History History: 1989 a. 31; 2015 a. 55.

36.49 36.49 Environmental program grants and scholarships; Wisconsin Merit scholarships. From the appropriation under s. 20.285 (1) (rm), the board shall annually do the following:

36.49(1) (1) Make need-based grants totaling $100,000 to students who are members of underrepresented groups and who are enrolled in a program leading to a certificate or a bachelor’s degree from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

36.49(2) (2) Provide annual scholarships totaling $100,000 to students enrolled in the sustainable management degree program through the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

36.49(3) (3) Provide $300,000 to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for environmental programs.

36.49(4) (4) Award the balance in annual scholarships called “Wisconsin Merit scholarships,” which shall be based only on merit, to students who are enrolled in an institution or college campus and who have either graduated from high school in this state or been granted a high school diploma by the administrator of a home-based private educational program, as defined in s. 115.001 (3g), in this state. The board shall determine merit based on a performance on standardized college entrance examinations and, if applicable, cumulative high school grade point averages. An annual scholarship awarded to a student under this subsection shall equal $5,000.

36.49 History History: 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 314; 2021 a. 238 s. 45; 2023 a. 2.

36.51 36.51 Nutritional improvement for elderly.

36.51(1) (1) In this section:

36.51(1)(a) (a) “Authorized elderly person” means any resident of this state who is 60 years of age or older, and the spouse of any such person.

36.51(1)(b) (b) “Institution” includes any private institution of higher education.

36.51(2) (2) Any college campus or institution approved by the board may establish a system to provide the opportunity for authorized elderly persons to participate in its meal program. If a college campus or institution desires to establish such a service, it shall develop a plan for the provision of food services for elderly persons and submit the plan to the board. Annually, the board shall notify the department of public instruction of the approved college campuses and institutions.

36.51(3) (3) Each plan shall provide at least one meal per day for each day that school is in regular session. The college campus or institution may provide additional service at other times in its discretion, if the number of eligible persons in the area is of sufficient size, in the opinion of the board, so that unwarranted production expense is not incurred.

36.51(4) (4) Any college campus or institution that operates a food services plan for elderly persons under this section shall make facilities available for service to elderly persons at every facility that provides hot food service to its students. Upon application, the board may grant exceptions from compliance with this subsection for reasons of safety, convenience or insufficient interest in a given neighborhood.

36.51(5) (5) Meals may be served at schools where they are served to students or at any site more convenient to the majority of authorized elderly persons interested in the service. Food may be transported to authorized elderly persons who are unable to leave their homes or distributed to nonprofit organizations for such purposes. However, no state funds under this section may be used for food delivery to individual homes. The board may require consolidation of programs between college campuses and institutions and between schools if such a procedure will be convenient and economical.