2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
June 2, 2017 - Introduced by Senators Feyen, Testin, Stroebel, Kapenga and
Nass, cosponsored by Representatives Kitchens, Macco, Tittl, R. Brooks,
Ripp, Horlacher, Thiesfeldt, Tauchen, Quinn and Hutton. Referred to
Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges.
SB290,1,3 1An Act to create 36.25 (1) and 36.65 (2) (dm) of the statutes; relating to:
2three-year bachelor's degree statements for University of Wisconsin System
3universities.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires each university in the University of Wisconsin System to
submit statements to the Board of Regents of the UW System regarding how
students may complete majors for baccalaureate degrees within three academic
years. The chronology of the statements must begin with the fall semester of a
student's first academic year. By January 1, 2018, the bill requires a university to
submit statements for at least 25 percent of the baccalaureate degree programs
offered by the university. By June 30, 2020, the bill requires a university to submit
statements for at least 50 percent of such programs.
The bill allows the statements to include the following methods for contributing
to earning a baccalaureate degree in three academic years: advanced placement
credit; international baccalaureate program credit; completing course work during
summer sessions; and earning postsecondary credit under the course or youth
options programs under current law. The statements may also include satisfying
degree and credit-hour requirements by completing courses that are widely
available at technical colleges or through online programs offered by the UW System
or private nonprofit institutions of higher education. In addition, the statements
may include waiving foreign language degree requirements based on a proficiency
examination specified by the university. The statements may also include any other
method specified by the university.

Upon submitting a statement to the Board of Regents, the bill requires a
university to post the statement on the university's Internet site. When the Board
of Regents receives a statement, the Board of Regents must provide copies to the
state superintendent of public instruction, who in turn must distribute copies to the
following entities: school boards that operate high school grades; operators of charter
schools that operate high school grades; and governing bodies of private high schools
that participate in the parental choice or special needs scholarship programs under
current law. The bill requires those entities to make the copies available to high
school principals, guidance counselors, or equivalent positions.
Finally, the bill requires the Board of Regents and UW-Madison chancellor to
include information about baccalaureate degrees awarded within three academic
years in annual accountability reports that must be submitted to the governor and
legislature under current law. The information required is the following: 1) the
number of baccalaureate degrees awarded that were completed within three
academic years; and 2) the percentage of baccalaureate degree programs for which
statements were submitted to the Board of Regents under the bill.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB290,1 1Section 1. 36.25 (1) of the statutes is created to read:
SB290,2,82 36.25 (1) Three-year baccalaureate degrees. (a) Subject to par. (b), each
3university shall submit to the board and post on the university's Internet site a
4statement describing how each major for which the university offers a baccalaureate
5degree may be completed within 3 academic years. The chronology of the statement
6shall begin with the fall semester of a student's first year of the baccalaureate
7program. The statement may include any of the following methods for contributing
8to earning a baccalaureate degree in 3 academic years:
SB290,2,99 1. Advanced placement credit.
SB290,2,1010 2. International baccalaureate program credit.
SB290,3,3
13. Satisfaction of degree and credit-hour requirements by completing courses
2that are widely available at technical colleges or through online programs offered by
3institutions or private nonprofit institutions of higher education.
SB290,3,44 4. Postsecondary credit under s. 118.52 or 118.55.
SB290,3,55 5. Completion of course work during summer sessions.
SB290,3,76 6. Waiver of foreign language degree requirements based on a proficiency
7examination specified by the university.
SB290,3,88 7. Any other method specified by the university.
SB290,3,139 (b) Not later than January 1, 2018, each university shall submit statements
10under par. (a) for at least 25 percent of all baccalaureate degree programs offered by
11the university. Not later than June 30, 2020, each university shall submit
12statements under par. (a) for at least 50 percent of all baccalaureate degree programs
13offered by the university.
SB290,3,2014 (c) Upon receipt of statements submitted under par. (a), the board shall provide
15copies to the state superintendent of public instruction, who shall distribute copies
16to school boards that operate high school grades, operators of charter schools under
17s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) that operate high school grades, and governing bodies of private
18schools that operate high school grades and that participate in a program under s.
19115.7915, 118.60, or 119.23, who shall make the copies available to high school
20principals, guidance counselors, or equivalent positions.
SB290,3,2321 (d) Nothing in this subsection requires a university to take any action that
22would violate the requirements of any independent association accrediting
23baccalaureate degree programs.
SB290,2 24Section 2 . 36.65 (2) (dm) of the statutes is created to read:
SB290,4,4
136.65 (2) (dm) Three-year baccalaureate degrees. The number of baccalaureate
2degrees awarded that were completed within 3 academic years and the percentage
3of baccalaureate degree programs for which statements were submitted under s.
436.25 (1) (a).
SB290,4,55 (End)
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