Coalition for Affordable Public Education

Here is an update you on CAPE’s achievements over the past year. Members of the coalition worked together this year to accomplish some positive gains in support for public education in Wisconsin. Below we lay out plans for the coming year and encourage you to get involved in the fight for affordable public education and a strong University of Wisconsin. 

Last year was a fruitful one for CAPE and its allies:

• UW-Madison won inclusion of a new budget line for graduate funding in the Regents' 2009-2011 biennial budget proposal. The language (formally the “DIN”, for "Decision Item Narrative") was drafted by a committee of CAPE members and others convened by the Provost last spring. If the requested $5.25 million is included in the State’s final budget, UW-Madison will be able to better compete for fellowships and traineeships.

• CAPE members participated in the Chancellor search process in a variety of ways, from meeting with Search & Screen Committee members, to generating press coverage, to attending small luncheons with all candidates and communicating their impressions to CAPE members and others. CAPE is pleased that Biddy Martin is our new Chancellor.

• The UW Foundation has announced that it will actively seek donations to support graduate funding. CAPE, which met with the President of Foundation last year and worked with various stakeholders to articulate the importance of graduate funding to Foundation, is pleased with this development.

• The UW Board of Regents recommended a freeze in nonresident graduate tuition in recognition of the effect the structural deficit has on rising tuition levels at UW-Madison. CAPE met with members of the Board of Regents to discuss the issue of graduate funding at UW-Madison last year, and commends the Regents for their position on this issue.

• CAPE met with and urged state legislators to fully fund the UW-System last fall, and met with Governor Doyle’s staff to stress the importance of graduate funding issues at UW-Madison.

• CAPE generated numerous media stories and radio interviews on the importance of fully funding UW-Madison, the role that graduate students play in the university, and other key topics.

• CAPE held an informational bake sale last fall and a barbeque in the spring to educate and connect members of the university community.

• CAPE created a Facebook group.

• With the support of CAPE members, CAPE created stickers and buttons featuring the CAPE logo. These are available to all supporters of CAPE (if you would like a button and/or sticker, please email cape@studentorg.wisc.edu).

• CAPE took part in a panel discussion with UFAS (United Faculty and Academic Staff) on rising tuition and falling faculty and academic staff pay at UW-Madison.

• CAPE also held a fall social event open to all CAPE members and supporters, where grad students could get a free meal. With the current budget situation, it was welcomed by all.

CAPE’s plans for this coming year include:

• Meetings with the Governor and legislators to ensure that the graduate funding DIN appears in the final 2009-2011 State biennial budget.

• Meeting with our new Chancellor Biddy Martin to discuss graduate funding and other pressing issues.

• Generating additional press coverage of the issues we care about.

• Working more closely with ASM (Associated Students of Madison) to address issues of faculty retention and tuition levels.

If you have any questions or ideas you’d like to share with us, please email us or come to a CAPE meeting (Fridays at 4:30pm, Memorial Union, TITU).