State Representative Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater) and UW System President Kevin Reilly, your quarrel is over.

Over the past year, Nass and Reilly have debated the admission standards for the UW System. Recent changes implemented by Reilly and the Board of Regents look at scholarly performance as well as non-academic factors, including "student experiences, leadership qualities, motivation, special talents, status as a non-traditional or returning adult, veteran, and whether the applicant is socio-economically disadvantaged or in a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic group."

Nass has argued that using ethnicity as a factor is ill-advised and possibly illegal. Nass believes there is a possibility that less-qualified minorities are admitted to the UW System, while white Wisconsin students who do better in school are being denied.

Through the heated debate, Governor Jim Doyle is the voice of reason. During his State of the State address, Doyle introduced the Wisconsin Covenant program. Eight-grade students who sign a pledge to finish high school with a B average, stay out of trouble and volunteer in their community are guaranteed a place in the UW system. “I want the university and the state of Wisconsin to say that if you do all that, there will be a place in the UW System for you.”

The Wisconsin Covenant also assists by providing financial resources for students who might not be able to afford higher education. Covenant Scholars have access to grants, scholarships and federal loans.

The cost to the state for the plan is estimated at $10 million a year for financial aid. While there will be an initial hit to the budget, the program should pay for itself in time. Most aid given to students is in the form of loans, which are paid back when a student finishes school.

An advantage of the program is that a more educated public would help to accelerate business growth in the state. A highly educated workforce is desirable to existing companies, and would create a strong base for the formation of new companies. As the people of Wisconsin make more in wages, they will pay more to the state in taxes.

There remains the question of how to proceed with admissions until the first Covenant scholars start college in four years. Until that time, it is important for the UW System to continue on with the admission standards that are in place.

In a recent open letter to David Walsh, chair of the UW Board of Regents, Rep. Nass stated, “The people of Wisconsin would be better served if the UW System worked more aggressively with K-12 School Districts to increase the number of minority high school graduates eligible to apply for admissions to our public universities based on academic performance.” I agree, and urge Rep. Nass along with his fellow members of the State Legislature to pass Doyle’s plan to ensure race is never again used to determine who is in and who is out.