UW System Policy Updates
Breaking It Down
All Blugolds want to do the right thing, but keeping up with policy changes can be challenging. This page is intended to keep you up-to-date on changes at the System level.
Pending Additions/Revisions & Analysis
Feedback for the following is due by Friday, September 8, 2023.
SYS 1031, Information Security: Data Classification - REVISED
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Analysis
This policy establishes a framework for classifying and protecting University of Wisconsin (UW) System data based on its level of sensitivity, value, and criticality to the university. Data classifications are necessary to secure and protect university data in a predictable manner consistent with the risk posed to the organization.
- This policy has been revised to align the data classifications established by UWSA with
the data classifications used by UW-Madison. - In Section 5, definitions were added for “data domain,” “data steward,” and “data
trustee.” - In Section 6.A, the data classification categories were re-ordered from high to low and
are now low to high. An example was added for each category. - Section 6.B was retitled to “Data Reclassification” and the content now applies to
reclassification rather than protection. - Added Section 6.C, Classification Documentation
SYS 1031 Guidance: Data Classification Examples - NEW
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Analysis
This is a new guidance document to complement the revised SYS 1031, Information Security: Data Classification.
Feedback for the following is due by Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Proposal to Consolidate Regent Policy Documents on Tuition
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Analysis
As part of an ongoing effort to update Regent Policy Documents, this proposal rescinds, updates, and consolidates seven Regent policies related to tuition and fees into a single Regent tuition policy. RPD 32-8, “Application Fees and Waivers,” would not be consolidated into this new policy, instead remaining as a standalone policy. This proposal would also reclassify the institution-wide tuition differentials as base tuition, starting in the 2024-2025 academic year.
SYS 805, Tuition and Fees Policies for Credit Instruction - REVISED
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Analysis
· The purpose of this policy is to outline the statutory, Board of Regents, and administrative policy provisions with respect to the parameters for establishing and authority for approving tuition and fees. Revisions to this policy are being considered in conjunction with the efforts to revise and merge the Regent Policy Documents on tuition and the rescission of the System Administrative Policy (SYS) 815, Student Technology Fee Expenditures. Proposed revisions to this policy include:
- Throughout the policy, renumbered sections to match current SYS template, updated format of statutory citations, and updated references to RPDs and SYS policies to reflect new titles.
- In Section 4, Background, generalized language regarding the Board of Regents approving a per credit fee structure that does not include a credit plateau, if requested by the UW institution.
- In Section 6.A.I, Resident vs. Nonresident, updated naming conventions and language regarding additional non-resident tuition rates at certain UW System institutions.
- In Section 6.A.V, Special Instructional Fees, removed procedural language regarding Shared Financial System codes that will be made obsolete by the Administrative Transformation Project (ATP).
- Retitled Section 6.A.VI to “Program-Specific Tuition,” removed mentions of institution-wide differentials, clarified that program-specific tuition rates can be sought for high-demand or high-cost programs, removed links to obsolete documents, and added details about the process by which institutions may request program-specific tuition rates. Removing mention of institution-wide differentials eliminates the ability to have such differentials. When all tuition-setting changes are brought to the Board of Regents, the Regents’ resolution for approval will include a provision to move current/existing institution-wide differentials into base tuition.
- Removed former Section 6.A.15, Multiple Campus Enrollments, to reflect the anticipated move of more institutions to a per-credit rate and current practice of not maintaining the plateau between main and branch campuses.
- In Section 6.A.XIII, Application Fees, changed directive from “is permitted to” to “must” assess a uniform application fee to reflect statutory language and the original intent of UW System policy. Added reference to Section 6.B.III, Application Fee Waivers.
- In Section 6.B.II, Nonresident Tuition Remission, Reciprocity, and Interstate Programs, updated naming conventions and language regarding additional non-resident tuition rates at certain UW System institutions.
- In Section 6.C.IV, Refunds/Withdrawals/Drops, added reference to SYS 807, Medical Withdrawal Policy.
SYS 815, Student Technology Fee Expenditures - RESCISSION
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Analysis
Background Summary of Policy
- This policy sets forth principles applicable to the administration of Student Technology Fees. These fees were originally applied to UW-Madison during the 1993-1995 biennium, and then expended to all campuses during the 1995-1997 biennium. These fees are a tuition surcharge and are subject to policies that govern approval and allocation of GPR/fee funds. Specific provisions of this policy include:
- The requirement that each institution must form a committee to review the plans for the allocation of the Student Technology Fee, and details about the committee’s composition and roles.
- The requirement that institutions must establish a specific accounting tracking mechanism for Student Technology Fee allocations as well as provide an annual report of expenditures to the committee.
- Examples of appropriate and inappropriate student fees expenditures. Generally, Student Technology Fee expenditures should concentrate on areas that benefit a significant number of students and should not be used for equipment and supplies for classrooms or departments used by a limited number of students.
Rationale for Rescission
- SYS 815 was created in 2001 to specifically define the provisions related to the newly applied Student Technology Fees. In proceeding years, much of this work has been normalized and incorporated into normal operating procedures.
- This policy was originally drafted during an advent of new technology that required consideration for how to build and maintain infrastructure to support their integration into the learning environment.
- Given the assimilation of these fees into existing financial processes, it is no longer deemed necessary to maintain a separate policy to specifically govern Student Technology Fees; therefore, this policy is proposed for rescission.
Notices & Reminders
Interim Policy
On August 4, 2023, President Rothman approved SYS 1200-11, Interim: Furlough Policy. Click here for additional information on this interim policy.
Effective Date Reminder
SYS 1035, Information Security: IT Asset Management and SYS 1035.A, Information Security: IT Asset Management Standard, which were approved on April 11, 2023, will become effective on October 1, 2023. Please direct any questions to informationsecurity@uwsa.edu.
Policy Priorities Memo
UW System has issued a FY 2024 Policy Priorities Memo. This document details the policy work completed in FY 2023, as well as a list of SYS policy priorities for fiscal year 2024. The policies were identified as high priority due to the policy’s content, the last revision date, or other emergent factors (e.g., changes to federal or state regulation). Institutions were asked to provide input on SYS policy priorities that should be undertaken by UW System Administration in the coming year. Comments were provided to UWSA policy owners for final consideration in the development of this plan.
Annual Reminder
Regent Policy Document 13-4, Institutional and Employee Relationships with Educational Loan Lenders applies to employees involved in student lending or who interact with educational loan lenders and is supplemental to applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Please read the policy and pay particular attention to obligations of UW institutions and employees, outlined in sections 4 and 5.
For guidance or questions about the code of ethics, you may contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration (finadmin@uwec.edu) and/or UWSA Office of Compliance and Integrity (compliance@uwsa.edu). Learn more on the UW System Conflicts of Interest webpage.
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