Wisconsin Senate Bill SB983

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 1/31/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Commencement of the fall semester at University of Wisconsin System institutions.

Impact

The proposed legislation is set to reinforce the existing law, which aims to provide consistency in the academic scheduling of the University of Wisconsin System. By holding to a specific start date, the bill is intended to facilitate better planning for students, faculty, and administrative bodies, which can potentially lead to improved educational outcomes. The stipulation that medical and veterinary programs are exempt from this timeline also reflects an acknowledgment of the unique requirements of those programs which may warrant earlier starts.

Summary

Senate Bill 983 seeks to amend section 36.11 (16) of the statutes concerning the commencement of fall semester classes at institutions within the University of Wisconsin System. Under existing law, the Board of Regents is required to ensure that classes do not start until after September 1. This bill maintains that requirement while clarifying that it applies to all institutions, excluding medical school classes, graduate health science classes, and fourth-year veterinary medicine classes. The change emphasizes the importance of a standardized start time for the academic year across the state's university system.

Contention

While SB983 appears straightforward in its intentions, there could be potential points of contention related to how changes to the academic calendar could impact various stakeholders, including students and faculty who may prefer more flexibility in scheduling. Concerns may also arise about how strictly enforcing a September 1 start date aligns with the broader educational goals of accommodating different academic disciplines with varying needs.