Below is my joint statement with Representative Dave Murphy regarding the agreement reached with the universities.

Madison… Speaker Robin Vos (R-Burlington) and Representative David Murphy (R-Greenville) are pleased that an agreement was reached with the Universities of Wisconsin (formerly the University of Wisconsin System) and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

“In recent years we’ve seen a growing emphasis on concepts that amplify ideas of division, exclusion, and indoctrination on our campuses,” Speaker Vos said. “Our caucus objective has always been aimed at dismantling the bureaucracy and division related to DEI and reprioritizing our universities towards an emphasis on what matters – student success and achievement," he continued. “I’m proud that Wisconsin is the first state with divided government to make real progress on reducing these negative influences across our public higher education institutions.”

Aspects of the negotiation include reducing one-third of the DEI positions on campuses across the state and freezing all positions throughout the system including DEI positions for the next three years to reduce administrative bloat.

To ensure Wisconsin’s best and brightest are staying in the state, the universities will adopt an admissions policy where the top five percent of academic performers will be guaranteed admission to UW-Madison, and the top ten percent of academic performers will be guaranteed admission to all other UW schools.

The agreement also includes that the Universities of Wisconsin and UW-Madison will develop and implement on all campuses a module regarding freedom of expression for entering undergraduate students.

“A robust exchange of ideas, diverse viewpoints, and critical thinking is what our universities should be encouraging to shape the learning experience for our young adults,” said Representative Murphy. “This is a positive step toward real intellectual diversity and growth, preparing students so as they transition out of liberal bubbles and into society, they are both open-minded and respectful of other perspectives.”

The Legislature will enumerate the UW-Madison engineering building, UW-Whitewater Winther and Heide Hall project, as well as utility projects across the system.

In 2025, the Legislative Audit Bureau will initiate a comprehensive audit to verify the Universities of Wisconsin and UW-Madison are in strict compliance with the commitments outlined in the agreement.