UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE
STUDENT ASSOCIATION
235 CARTWRIGHT CENTER
1725 STATE STREET
LA CROSSE, WI 54601
(608) 785-8775
February 2nd, 2011
Office of Governor Scott Walker
115 East Capitol
Madison WI 53702
Dear Governor Walker,
On behalf of the students of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the Student Senate would
like to begin by congratulating you on your recent election as governor of our great state of
Wisconsin. The students, faculty, staff and administration of the University of Wisconsin-La
Crosse look forward to working closely with you in the upcoming years in order to ensure
continued excellence throughout our university and all of the UW System.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has traditionally had a strong relationship with our
state’s government and has fostered a mutually beneficial partnership. Our strong retention and
graduation rates stream well-educated workers into Wisconsin’s economy. Additionally, the
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was named a Best Value Public College by Kiplinger
Personal Finance for the 2010 – 2011 years. Not only is UW-La Crosse an institution of the
highest caliber, it is also a great investment for the taxpayers and potential students of
Wisconsin. Through state support, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will be able to open a
new academic building for the 2011 – 2012 school year. This building will be an important asset
to our campus for many years to come.
Despite uncertain economic times, UW-La Crosse and the UW System has produced a high
quality product – an affordable higher education for the residents of Wisconsin. However, given
decreasing state resources, the UW System needs increased flexibility and autonomy in order to
maintain these high standards. Knowing these challenges, flexibility will be a valuable tool to
remove encumbrances and make our system more efficient.
Additionally, continuing electoral opportunities and voter rights is of the utmost importance to
UW-La Crosse students. Voter turnout and political participation of our students has typically
been impressive. In the 2008 elections, voter turnout was 61.9%. Engaging voters at a young
age fosters a sense of civic engagement as they transition into adulthood. With this in mind, we
find the potential implications of the proposed voter identification and same day registration bills
to be very disappointing. While this may not be the intention of the bill, we fear that the impact
will be large-scale disenfranchisement across the UW System. The effects of the voter
identification legislation will be particularly noticeable here at UW-La Crosse. With its
geographic position in the heart of the tri-state area, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
draws a diverse group of students from in and out of state, many of whom look to make
Wisconsin their home.
After working to register voters on multiple occasions, we understand the complexities of the
electoral system. However, with this in mind, we feel that the proposed changes to same day
voter registration will further complicate the system for students. These proposed changes will
also limit many students’ opportunities to vote in elections, as we know that the academic year
and election season unfortunately coincide with each other. Students who have recently moved
into residence halls or student housing would have great trouble registering in time to vote. We
should encourage participation in our democracy; not discourage future leaders away from the
polls.
Finally, we would like to take an additional moment of your time to express concerns over two
additional pieces of potential state legislations. One of these pieces of legislation would threaten
the continuation of domestic partner benefits. We feel these benefits, while not representing a
significant cost to the state, offer the UW System an important tool in attracting and retaining
high quality talent to teach, administrate and direct our universities. An additional piece of
legislation with which we are concerned is the proposed conceal to carry law. In light of recent
tragic shootings on campuses like Virginia Tech, we cannot overstate the importance of
maintaining a gun free academic environment on our campuses.
Again, we thank you for your time and support of The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. We
look forward to counting you as a champion of higher education, the surest path to job growth.
Through protecting students’ rights to vote, the benefits which help attract brilliant minds, and
our safety, we can solidify our state’s path to a secure and promising future.
Sincerely,
Melissa Ruplinger and Karly Wallace
Vice President and President
UW-La Crosse Student Association
235 Cartwright Center
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Office: 608.785.8775
Email: studentsenate@uwlax.edu