Graduate Assistantship Policy for Students Enrolled in Academic Programs Approved for Service-Based Pricing

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Policy Number:
UW-1029
Responsible Office:
Academic Planning and Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Academic programs that use a service-based pricing tuition structure are required to operate in a fully self-supporting manner with tuition revenue being the primary source of funding for operational activities. These programs are intended for non-traditional student populations and offer some combination of accelerated curricula, distance education delivery, and other flexibilities needed by non-traditional students. When these program options were created it was not anticipated that graduate students in these programs would pursue on-campus employment opportunities like graduate assistantships. Part of the compensation for graduate assistantships is remission of tuition charges when the position is at least 33.3% of one FTE. When students enrolled in service-based pricing programs are hired into traditional graduate assistantship positions, the tuition remission associated with the assistantship compromised the operational revenue of the program. Despite proactive communication to limit or prevent these students from accepting these types of positions, there is no mechanism in the hiring process to identify students in these programs and restrict them from being hired into graduate assistantships. As a result, programs have experienced revenue losses due to these tuition remissions. This policy seeks to clarify when and if students enrolled in service-based pricing academic programs are allowed to be hired into graduate assistantships and what the responsibilities students, programs, departments, and central campus administration have in the employment eligibility determination process.

Definitions:
Service-Based Pricing
A UW System policy that allows certain academic programs to charge tuition outside of the normal structure. UW–Madison’s service-based pricing programs are commonly referred to as Professional Degree and Certificate (PDC) programs, 131 programs, non-pooled programs, or revenue programs. There are two distinct channels defined by UW System that differentiate service-based pricing programs. These channels then determine the authority for approving tuition rate structures. The two channels are 1) online/distance and 2) market-based.
Service-Based Pricing – Market-Based Tuition
A degree or capstone program approved for service-based pricing that is designed for adult students and non-traditional audiences and charges a per credit tuition rate. Under UW System tuition policy, the UW–Madison Chancellor has the authority to propose to the UW System President per-credit market-based tuition for these programs.
Service-Based Pricing – Online/Distance
A degree or capstone program approved for service-based pricing that is offered via distance education. UW–Madison has the authority to set per-credit tuition for online/distance degree/major programs and Capstone certificate programs that are substantially supported by tuition revenue. For online/distance programs, Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance is the delegated authority.
Service-Based Pricing Program
A degree or capstone certificate program operating within either the Online/Distance or Market-Based designation of the Service-Based Pricing Model.
Scope:

Students enrolled in a program that utilizes a service-based pricing tuition structure.

Policy:
  1. Service-based pricing program faculty and staff must disclose remission restrictions for graduation assistantships with the offer of admission, on the program website and Guide pages, in the program handbook, and during program orientation.
  2. Students enrolled in a program with a service-based pricing tuition structure may accept graduate assistantships (including those above 33.33%); however, they will not receive the tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship. The Bursar’s Office will enforce this provision in the Student Information System by preventing students in service-based pricing programs from receiving a tuition remission associated with a graduate assistantship.
  3. There is no obligation for hiring departments to provide tuition assistance. However, departments that wish to provide tuition assistance can make use of the Internal Third-Party Deferral Process for financial incentives. The Internal Third-Party Deferral Process credits a student’s tuition account with funds paid by a UW–Madison department.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Policy Manager:
Interim Director and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Institutional Research
Contact:
Director, Madison Budget Office -- Jennifer Klippel, mbo@vc.wisc.edu
Associate Director -- Michelle Young, michelle.young@wisc.edu, (608) 262-2143
Effective Date:
05-15-2022
Date Issued:
05-15-2022
Retrieved:
07-04-2022 11:18:22