The biennial state budget determines a significant portion of UW–Madison’s funding, affecting every corner of the university for the next two years. Although the bipartisan 2025–27 budget deal did not include everything the UW had hoped for, it does include some much-needed provisions. We appreciate Governor Evers’s and legislative leaders’ acknowledgment of UW–Madison’s role as a $30 billion economic engine for the state, and of the important role the university plays in helping educate Wisconsin’s future leaders and workforce. Join the UW Advocacy Coalition to stay up to date on this and other policy issues affecting UW–Madison.

The Wisconsin legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance has approved funding to move forward on key building projects, including the expansion of dining halls in Chadbourne and Dejope Halls and the critical renovation of historic Science Hall.

However, student housing continues to be a concern as enrollment at UW–Madison rises to meet workforce demands. We are disappointed that the Joint Finance Committee did not approve funding for a much-needed residence hall.

As you may know, the Humanities Building is a space where every undergraduate has a class or activity, meaning it impacts the entire student body. But with deferred maintenance costs now totaling more than $70 million — with some structural issues simply beyond repair — this space is no longer able to support learning at the UW. All remaining departments in this building must be moved and the Humanities Building itself must be demolished to make way for safe, innovative new facilities where the university can educate our future workforce.

The Joint Committee on Finance has approved planning dollars for the relocation of the departments remaining in the Humanities Building. We appreciate this allocation and look forward to continuing to work with the legislature on future state budgets to ensure the project’s completion.

The legislature has approved a compensation increase of two to three percent for all state employees, including UW–Madison employees. They have also approved $27 million annually to help attract new faculty in high-demand fields of study.

The budget also includes $11.25 million annually in additional revenue for Universities of Wisconsin campuses in proportion to the aggregate number of course credits awarded to undergraduate students.