MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-Madison would be required to admit all high school students who finish in the top 5% of their class, and other campuses would have to admit those in the top 10%, under a bill passed Tuesday by the state Legislature.

What You Need To Know

  • The state Legislature has passed a bill requiring the University of Wisconsin-Madison to admit all high school students who finish in the top 5% of their class. Other UW campuses would have to admit those in the top 10% under the bill passed Tuesday

  • It was part of a deal reached between the Legislature and university that also limits diversity positions at the system’s two dozen campuses in exchange for money to cover staff raises and construction projects

  • A legislative committee gave final approval for the pay raises in December, and now a series of bills are working their way through the Legislature enacting other parts of the deal. The bill now heads to Gov. Tony Evers

The measure is part of a deal reached between the Legislature and university in December also limits diversity positions at the system’s two dozen campuses in exchange for money to cover staff raises and construction projects. A legislative committee gave final approval for the pay raises in December, and now a series of bills are working their way through the Legislature enacting other parts of the deal.

The university said in a statement that it supported the guaranteed admission proposal “because it will help encourage the top students in Wisconsin to remain in-state for their postsecondary education, and will encourage more of these students to remain here after graduation.”

The Senate passed the bill 23-9. The Assembly approved it on a voice vote. It now heads to Gov. Tony Evers for his consideration.

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