October 24, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Rettinger, Magnafici, Allen, Behnke, Brandtjen, Callahan, Dallman, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Krug, Maxey, Murphy, Nedweski, O’Connor and Rozar, cosponsored by Senators Wimberger, Wanggaard and Nass. Referred to Committee on Colleges and Universities.

AB554,,22An Act to repeal 36.34 (title) and (1) (title) and (a), 38.04 (8) (a), 38.26 (1), 39.15 (1) (c), 39.44 (1) (a) and 39.46 (2) (g); to renumber and amend 36.34 (1) (b); to amend 36.25 (14), 36.25 (14m) (title), 36.25 (14m) (a), 36.25 (14m) (b), 36.25 (14m) (c) 2., 38.04 (8) (title), 38.04 (8) (b), 38.26 (title), 38.26 (2) (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e), 38.27 (1) (a), 39.40 (title), 39.40 (2) (intro.), 39.40 (3) (b) 1., 39.44 (1) (b) and 39.44 (3) (c); to repeal and recreate 39.40 (1) and 39.44 (title); and to create 36.25 (14m) (d), 38.04 (8) (c) and 39.44 (1) (c) of the statutes; relating to: race-based higher education programs and requirements.

This bill changes certain race-based programs or requirements in higher education. In general, the bill modifies these programs and requirements so they apply to disadvantaged students rather than minority students.

Under current law, the Higher Educational Aids Board administers a minority teacher loan program for minority students who meet certain criteria, including being enrolled in a teaching program in a discipline with teacher shortages. A “minority student” is defined as a student who is a Black American; an American Indian or Alaskan native; a Hispanic; a person of Asian or Pacific Island origin; or a person whose ancestry includes two or more races. Under the program, HEAB may award to an eligible student a loan of up to $10,000 per year for not more than three years. The loan is generally repayable, but HEAB must forgive 25 percent of the loan for each school year the loan recipient 1) is employed as a full-time teacher in a high-demand area related to the recipient’s discipline; 2) is employed by a public or private school located in a school district in which minority students constitute at least 40 percent of pupil enrollment; and 3) receives an educator effectiveness rating of proficient or distinguished.

The bill changes the program so that it is available to disadvantaged students rather than minority students. In determining whether a student is disadvantaged, the student’s race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion may not be considered, either directly or indirectly. This prohibition applies to HEAB for all purposes for which it determines whether a student is disadvantaged. The bill also changes the criteria for loan forgiveness described in 2, above, so the recipient must be employed by a public or private school located in a school district in which “economically disadvantaged pupils,” defined as pupils eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch, constitute at least 80 percent of pupil enrollment.

Under current law, HEAB administers a minority undergraduate retention grant program for minority undergraduates enrolled in private, nonprofit colleges and technical colleges. A “minority undergraduate” is defined as an undergraduate student who is a Black American; an American Indian; a Hispanic; or a person admitted to the United States after December 31, 1975, who is either a former citizen of Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia or whose ancestor was or is a citizen of Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia (Hmong). HEAB must evenly distribute program funds to private, nonprofit colleges and technical colleges, and these receiving colleges must award grants to eligible students on the basis of financial need.

The bill changes the program so that it is available to disadvantaged undergraduate students rather than minority undergraduate students.

Current law provides state funding to the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc., for certain purposes, but one condition for receiving this funding is that MCW make every effort to ensure that at least 5 percent of its total enrollment consists of minority students.

The bill repeals this requirement.

Current law requires HEAB to facilitate a contract between the state and a private, nonprofit dental school for dental education services. The contract must incorporate certain requirements, including that the dental school make every effort to ensure that at least 5 percent of its total enrollment consists of minority students.

The bill repeals this requirement.

Current law requires the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to fund programs for minority and disadvantaged students enrolled in the UW System and programs to recruit minority and disadvantaged students. The Board of Regents must also adopt a recruitment and retention plan for minority and disadvantaged students.