UW committed to state students

As chancellor of the state’s flagship university, one of my most important jobs is to ensure access to our state’s students.

In response a recent Journal Sentinel story (Sept. 26) focusing on our incoming class of students, I want to reiterate that our commitment to Wisconsin families has never been stronger.

Applications from Wisconsin residents continue to grow and of those who applied this year, two-thirds were extended an offer to attend.

More of our new freshmen come from Wisconsin than a decade ago, even though the number of Wisconsin high school graduates has declined during that same period. Since 2009, we’ve increased the percentage of Wisconsin high school grads that we enroll from 4.9% to 5.6%.

Even as the pool shrinks, we continue to make good on our 2015 pledge to enroll at least 3,600 Wisconsin residents in each incoming freshman class. This year, the number is 3,659 — more than half of the class.

We’ve also made UW-Madison much more affordable through efforts like enhanced first-generation transfers and Bucky’s Tuition Promise, which guarantees free tuition for any Wisconsin student whose household adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less.

Whether the issue is accessibility or affordability, UW-Madison remains committed to its home state.

Rebecca M. Blank

Chancellor University of Wisconsin-Madison