Chapter 39

39.50 39.50 Remission of fees for veterans and dependents.

39.50(1) (1) University of Wisconsin System. At the end of each semester, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System shall certify to the board the number of students enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System to whom any fees or nonresident tuition has been remitted under s. 36.27 (3n) or (3p), the number of credits for which those fees or that nonresident tuition has been remitted, and the amount of fees and nonresident tuition remitted. Subject to sub. (3m), if the board approves the information certified under this subsection, the board, from the appropriation account under s. 20.235 (1) (fz), shall reimburse the board of regents for the full amount of fees and nonresident tuition remitted. The board of regents shall credit any amounts received under this subsection to the appropriation under s. 20.285 (1) (k) and shall expend those amounts received for degree credit instruction.

39.50(2) (2) Technical colleges. At the end of each semester, each technical college district board shall certify to the board the number of students enrolled in the technical college governed by the district board to whom any fees have been remitted under s. 38.24 (7) or (8), the number of credits for which those fees have been remitted, and the amount of those fees remitted. Subject to sub. (3m), if the board approves the information certified under this subsection, the board, from the appropriation account under s. 20.235 (1) (fz), shall reimburse the district board for the full amount of fees remitted.

39.50(3m) (3m) Remission of fees; prorated reimbursement. In June of each fiscal year, the board shall determine the total amount of fees and nonresident tuition remitted by the board of regents that are eligible for reimbursement under sub. (1) and fees remitted by the district boards that are eligible for reimbursement under sub. (2). If the moneys appropriated under s. 20.235 (1) (fz) are not sufficient to reimburse the board of regents for the full amount of those fees and that nonresident tuition and each district board for the full amount of those fees, the board shall prorate the reimbursement paid under subs. (1) and (2) in the proportion that the moneys available bears to the total amount eligible for reimbursement under subs. (1) and (2).

39.50(4) (4) Reimbursement of veterans and dependents; prorated reimbursement. In each fiscal year, the higher educational aids board shall determine the total amount of reimbursement due to students under ss. 36.27 (3n) (bm) 1. and (3p) (bm) 1. and 38.24 (7) (bm) 1. and (8) (bm) 1. If the moneys appropriated under s. 20.235 (1) (fz) are not sufficient to provide full reimbursement to those students, the higher educational aids board shall prorate the reimbursement paid to those students under ss. 36.27 (3n) (bm) 1. and (3p) (bm) 1. and 38.24 (7) (bm) 1. and (8) (bm) 1. in the proportion that the moneys available bears to the total amount eligible for reimbursement under ss. 36.27 (3n) (bm) 1. and (3p) (bm) 1. and 38.24 (7) (bm) 1. and (8) (bm) 1. If the higher educational aids board prorates reimbursement under this subsection, the Board of Regents shall reimburse a student who is eligible for reimbursement under s. 36.27 (3n) (bm) 1. or (3p) (bm) 1., and the appropriate technical college district board shall reimburse a student who is eligible for reimbursement under s. 38.24 (7) (bm) 1. or (8) (bm) 1., in an amount that is equal to the difference between the amount of reimbursement for which the student is eligible and the amount of reimbursement paid by the higher educational aids board.

39.50 History History: 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28.

39.51 39.51 Dual enrollment credential grants.

39.51(1) (1) In this section:

39.51(1)(a) (a) “Dual enrollment programs” means programs or courses of study designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to gain credits in both high school and an institution of higher education, including transcripted credit programs or other educational services provided by contract between a school district and an institution of higher education.

39.51(1)(b) (b) “Institution of higher education” has the meaning given in s. 118.19 (1c) (a).

39.51(1)(c) (c) “Membership” has the meaning given in s. 121.004 (5).

39.51(1)(d) (d) “School year” has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (13).

39.51(2) (2) Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, from the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (c), the board shall award grants to school districts, charter schools authorized under s. 118.40 (2r), and private schools participating in a program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 to support dual enrollment programs taught in high schools. These grants shall be awarded for the purpose of assisting high school teachers in covering tuition expenses for courses taken to meet the minimal qualifications necessary to teach dual enrollment courses.

39.51(3) (3) In each school year, the board shall award at least one grant under sub. (2) to each of the following:

39.51(3)(a) (a) A school district the membership of which in the previous school year was fewer than 650 pupils.

39.51(3)(b) (b) A school district the membership of which in the previous school year was 650 to 1,600 pupils.

39.51(3)(c) (c) A school district the membership of which in the previous school year was more than 1,600 pupils.

39.51(3)(d) (d) A charter school established under s. 118.40 (2r).

39.51(3)(e) (e) A private school participating in the program under s. 118.60 or 119.23.

39.51(4) (4) Following the school year in which a school district, charter school authorized under s. 118.40 (2r), or private school participating in a program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 receives a grant under sub. (2), the school district, charter school, or private school shall submit to the board a report that includes all of the following information:

39.51(4)(a) (a) The number of high school teachers who received financial assistance funded by the grant.

39.51(4)(b) (b) The total number of postsecondary credits completed by high school teachers that were funded by the grant.

39.51(4)(c) (c) The number of high school teachers described under par. (a) who are minimally qualified to teach dual enrollment courses.

39.51 History History: 2017 a. 206; 2021 a. 217.

39.53 39.53 Information for students relating to higher education costs.

39.53(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “institution of higher education” means an institution or college campus within the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college under ch. 38, or any private postsecondary institution located in this state that provides an educational program for which it awards an associate degree or higher.

39.53(2) (2) Student letter.

39.53(2)(a) (a) An institution of higher education shall annually provide a letter to all students to inform them of the cost of their education. Subject to par. (c), the letter shall include all of the following:

39.53(2)(a)1. 1. For each student loan obtained by the student for which the student loan funds are distributed by the institution as part of the student’s financial aid package, all of the following information with respect to that loan:

39.53(2)(a)1.a. a. The total amount of debt accrued under the loan to date.

39.53(2)(a)1.b. b. The interest rate applicable to the loan.

39.53(2)(a)1.c. c. Standard repayment terms for the type of loan.

39.53(2)(a)1.d. d. The estimated monthly payment due under the loan when the repayment period commences.

39.53(2)(a)1.e. e. The total projected amount of interest to be paid over the term of the loan.

39.53(2)(a)1.f. f. The total projected amount, including both principal and interest, to be paid over the term of the loan.

39.53(2)(a)2. 2. The estimated total cost of attendance at the institution of higher education for the academic year, including actual or estimated costs of tuition, fees, and room and board.

39.53(2)(a)3. 3. The cumulative amount of each of the following, stated separately, that the student receives through the institution as part of the student’s financial aid package:

39.53(2)(a)3.a. a. State grants.

39.53(2)(a)3.b. b. Federal grants.

39.53(2)(a)3.c. c. Institutional grants.

39.53(2)(a)4. 4. Identification of resources for students to learn more about student loans and identification of other financial literacy sources.

39.53(2)(b) (b) The letter under par. (a) shall be provided to each student at the beginning of the academic year. Whenever possible, the letter shall be transmitted to the student electronically, but the institution of higher education shall provide a printed copy of the letter delivered by hand, mail, facsimile transmission, commercial delivery, or other suitable means if the student does not have the ability to receive the letter electronically.

39.53(2)(c) (c) The letter under par. (a) is required to include the information specified in par. (a) 1. for a student loan obtained from a private lender only to the extent that the institution of higher education has received this information from the private lender or loan servicer.

39.53(3) (3) Financial literacy. Each institution of higher education shall provide to newly entering students information on financial literacy within the student’s first semester of enrollment.

39.53 History History: 2015 a. 284.

39.54 39.54 Information on student identification cards.

39.54(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “institution of higher education” means an institution or college campus within the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college under ch. 38.

39.54(2) (2) Suicide prevention information on identification cards.

39.54(2)(a) (a) If an institution of higher education issues identification cards to students, the institution of higher education shall include on each identification card issued to a student the telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or one of its affiliate crisis centers or, if the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ceases operations, another national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The institution of higher education may also include on the identification card any of the following information:

39.54(2)(a)1. 1. A statement that the text-based emotional support service of the Crisis Text Line may be accessed by texting HOPELINE to 741741 or, if applicable, by specifying any successor method.

39.54(2)(a)2. 2. Instructions for contacting a text-based state or national organization, other than the organization described under subd. 1., that provides free support to individuals in crisis 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

39.54(2)(a)3. 3. The telephone number for a local suicide prevention hotline.

39.54(2)(b) (b) An institution of higher education may include the information described under par. (a) on student identification cards by printing the information on, or by affixing a sticker that contains the information to, the identification cards.

39.54 History History: 2019 a. 116.

subch. IV of ch. 39 SUBCHAPTER IV

EDUCATION COMPACTS

39.75 39.75 Compact for education. The compact for education is hereby enacted into law and entered into by this state with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein, in the form substantially as follows:

39.75(1) (1) Article I — Purpose and Policy.

39.75(1)(a) (a) It is the purpose of this compact to:

39.75(1)(a)1. 1. Establish and maintain close cooperation and understanding among executive, legislative, professional educational and lay leadership on a nationwide basis at the state and local levels.

39.75(1)(a)2. 2. Provide a forum for the discussion, development, crystallization and recommendation of public policy alternatives in the field of education.

39.75(1)(a)3. 3. Provide a clearinghouse of information on matters relating to educational problems and how they are being met in different places throughout the nation, so that the executive and legislative branches of state government and of local communities may have ready access to the experience and record of the entire country, and so that both lay and professional groups in the field of education may have additional avenues for the sharing of experience and the interchange of ideas in the formation of public policy in education.

39.75(1)(a)4. 4. Facilitate the improvement of state and local educational systems so that all of them will be able to meet adequate and desirable goals in a society which requires continuous qualitative and quantitative advance in educational opportunities, methods and facilities.

39.75(1)(b) (b) It is the policy of this compact to encourage and promote local and state initiative in the development, maintenance, improvement and administration of educational systems and institutions in a manner which will accord with the needs and advantages of diversity among localities and states.

39.75(1)(c) (c) The party states recognize that each of them has an interest in the quality and quantity of education furnished in each of the other states, as well as in the excellence of its own educational systems and institutions, because of the highly mobile character of individuals within the nation, and because the products and services contributing to the health, welfare and economic advancement of each state are supplied in significant part by persons educated in other states.

39.75(2) (2) Article II — State Defined. As used in this compact, “state” means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

39.75(3) (3) Article III — The Commission.

39.75(3)(a) (a) The education commission of the states, hereinafter called “the commission”, is hereby established. The commission shall consist of 7 members representing each party state. One of such members shall be governor; 2 shall be members of the state legislature selected by its respective houses and serving in such manner as the legislature may determine; and 4 shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, unless the laws of the state otherwise provide. If the laws of a state prevent legislators from serving on the commission, 6 members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, unless the laws of the state otherwise provide. In addition to any other principles or requirements which a state may establish for the appointment and service of its members of the commission, the guiding principle for the composition of the membership on the commission from each party state shall be that the members representing such state shall, by virtue of their training, experience, knowledge or affiliations be in a position collectively to reflect broadly the interests of the state government, higher education, the state education system, local education, lay and professional, public and nonpublic educational leadership. Of those appointees, one shall be the head of a state agency or institution, designated by the governor, having responsibility for one or more programs of public education. In addition to the members of the commission representing the party states, there may be not to exceed 10 nonvoting commissioners selected by the steering committee for terms of one year. Such commissioners shall represent leading national organizations of professional educators or persons concerned with educational administration.

39.75(3)(b) (b) The members of the commission shall be entitled to one vote each on the commission. No action of the commission shall be binding unless taken at a meeting at which a majority of the total number of votes on the commission are cast in favor thereof. Action of the commission shall be only at a meeting at which a majority of the commissioners are present. The commission shall meet at least once a year. In its bylaws, and subject to such directions and limitations as may be contained therein, the commission may delegate the exercise of any of its powers to the steering committee or the executive director, except for the power to approve budgets or requests for appropriations, the power to make policy recommendations pursuant to sub. (4) and adoption of the annual report pursuant to par. (j).

39.75(3)(c) (c) The commission shall have a seal.

39.75(3)(d) (d) The commission shall elect annually, from among its members, a chairperson, who shall be a governor, a vice chairperson and a treasurer. The commission shall provide for the appointment of an executive director. Such executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the commission, and together with the treasurer and such other personnel as the commission may deem appropriate shall be bonded in such amount as the commission shall determine. The executive director shall be secretary.

39.75(3)(e) (e) Irrespective of the civil service, personnel or other merit system laws of any of the party states, the executive director subject to the approval of the steering committee shall appoint, remove or discharge such personnel as may be necessary for the performance of the functions of the commission, and shall fix the duties and compensation of such personnel. The commission in its bylaws shall provide for the personnel policies and programs of the commission.

39.75(3)(f) (f) The commission may borrow, accept or contract for the services of personnel from any party jurisdiction, the United States, or any subdivision or agency of the aforementioned governments, or from any agency of 2 or more of the party jurisdictions or their subdivisions.

39.75(3)(g) (g) The commission may accept for any of its purposes and functions under this compact any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, conditional or otherwise, from any state, the United States, or any other governmental agency, or from any person, firm, association, foundation or corporation, and may receive, utilize and dispose of the same. Any donation or grant accepted by the commission pursuant to this paragraph or services borrowed pursuant to par. (f) shall be reported in the annual report of the commission. Such report shall include the nature, amount and conditions, if any, of the donation, grant or services borrowed, and the identity of the donor or lender.

39.75(3)(h) (h) The commission may establish and maintain such facilities as may be necessary for the transacting of its business. The commission may acquire, hold and convey real and personal property and any interest therein.

39.75(3)(i) (i) The commission shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business and shall have the power to amend and rescind these bylaws. The commission shall publish its bylaws in convenient form and shall file a copy thereof and a copy of any amendment thereto, with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the party states.

39.75(3)(j) (j) The commission annually shall submit to the governor, to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) and to the legislature of any other party state a report covering the activities of the commission for the preceding year. The commission may submit such additional reports as it deems desirable.

39.75(4) (4) Article IV — Powers. In addition to authority conferred on the commission by other provisions of the compact, the commission shall have authority to:

39.75(4)(a) (a) Collect, correlate, analyze and interpret information and data concerning educational needs and resources.

39.75(4)(b) (b) Encourage and foster research in all aspects of education, but with special reference to the desirable scope of instruction, organization, administration and instructional methods and standards employed or suitable for employment in public educational systems.

39.75(4)(c) (c) Develop proposals for adequate financing of education as a whole and at each of its many levels.

39.75(4)(d) (d) Conduct or participate in research of the types referred to in this subsection in any instance where the commission finds that such research is necessary for the advancement of the purposes and policies of this compact, utilizing fully the resources of national associations, regional compact organizations for higher education and other agencies and institutions, both public and private.

39.75(4)(e) (e) Formulate suggested policies and plans for the improvement of public education as a whole, or for any segment thereof, and make recommendations with respect thereto available to the appropriate governmental units, agencies and public officials.

39.75(4)(f) (f) Do such other things as may be necessary or incidental to the administration of any of its authority or functions pursuant to this compact.

39.75(5) (5) Article V — Cooperation with Federal Government.

39.75(5)(a) (a) If the laws of the United States specifically so provide, or if administrative provision is made therefor within the federal government, the United States may be represented on the commission by not to exceed 10 representatives. Any such representative or representatives of the United States shall be appointed and serve in such manner as may be provided by or pursuant to federal law, and may be drawn from any one or more branches of the federal government, but no such representative shall have a vote on the commission.

39.75(5)(b) (b) The commission may provide information and make recommendations to any executive or legislative agency or officer of the federal government concerning the common educational policies of the states, and may advise with any such agencies or officers concerning any matter of mutual interest.

39.75(6) (6) Article VI — Committees.

39.75(6)(a) (a) To assist in the expeditious conduct of its business when the full commission is not meeting, the commission shall elect a steering committee of 32 members which, subject to the provisions of this compact and consistent with the policies of the commission, shall be constituted and function as provided in the bylaws of the commission. One-fourth of the voting membership of the steering committee shall consist of governors, one-fourth shall consist of legislators, and the remainder shall consist of other members of the commission. A federal representative on the commission may serve with the steering committee, but without vote. The voting members of the steering committee shall serve for terms of 2 years, except that members elected to the first steering committee of the commission shall be elected as follows: 15 for one year and 15 for 2 years. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and treasurer of the commission shall be members of the steering committee and, anything in this paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, shall serve during their continuance in these offices. Vacancies in the steering committee shall not affect its authority to act, but the commission at its next regularly ensuing meeting following the occurrence of any vacancy shall fill it for the unexpired term. No person shall serve more than 2 terms as a member of the steering committee: provided that service for a partial term of one year or less shall not be counted toward the 2-term limitation.