59-R-13
PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE
10-12-15
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE
STUDENT SENATE RESOLUTION
IN SUPPORT OF WISCONSIN STATE SENATE BILL 194
“HIGHER ED, LOWER DEBT”
WHEREAS,
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815,000
Wisconsin
residents
have
acquired student loan debt; and
WHEREAS, this is an increase of 62,000 residents since 2013;
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approximately
and
WHEREAS, the average debt incurred by these students is
$28,400; and
WHEREAS, the
Federal Perkins Loan Grant has come to an
effective end in the United States Senate; and
WHEREAS, more students will now need extra assistance in
paying for higher education; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 194 calls for the creation of Wisconsin
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Student
Loan
Refinancing
Authority
(WSLRA)
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students an option to refinance a loan; and
which
would
give
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WHEREAS, the WSLRA would give students a state-backed loan
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with increased flexibility to be able to pay back their federal
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loans; and
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WHEREAS, a version of this bill was first supported by the
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57th Session of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Student Senate;
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and
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WHEREAS, it was reintroduced to the Wisconsin State Senate on
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June 11th, 2015 and brought forth for public hearing on October
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7th, 2015; and
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WHEREAS, thousands of UW System graduates could benefit from
the passage of this legislation;
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BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the University of Wisconsin-
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Eau Claire Student Senate supports Wisconsin State Senate Bill
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194; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Student Senate supports the
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intent of the bill to increase Wisconsin residents’ access to
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affordable loans in their pursuit for higher education; and
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BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that upon passage a copy of this
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resolution be sent to Dr. James Schmidt, Chancellor; Dr. Patricia
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Kleine,
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Chancellor,
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Chancellor
and
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University
Senate;
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Resource Planning; Wisconsin State Senators Hansen, Lassa, Bewley,
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Carpenter, Erpenbach, Harris, Dodd, C. Larson, Miller, Ringhand,
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Risser, Shilling, L. Taylor; Vinehout, and Wirch; Wisconsin State
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Representatives Mason, Kolste, Barca, Barnes, Berceau, Billings,
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Bowen, Brostoff, Considine, Danou, Doyle, Genrich, Goyke, Hebl,
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Hintz, Johnson, Jorgensen, Kahl, Kessler, Meyers, Milroy, Ohmstad,
Provost/Vice
Student
Chancellor;
Affairs;
Dean
of
Dr.
Dr.
Joseph
Students;
Kristen
Beth
Abhold,
Mitch
Hendrickson,
Hellwig,
Vice
Interim
Freymiller,
Director,
Vice
Chair,
Budget
and
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Pope,
Riemer,
Sargent,
Shankland,
Sinicki,
Spreitzer,
Stuck,
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Subeck, C. Taylor, Wachs, Young, Zamarripa, Zepnick; and Governor
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Scott Walker.
SUBMITTED BY
Katy McGarry, Intergovernmental Affairs Commission Director
and Off-Campus Senator
Intergovernmental Affairs Commission
October 12, 2015