MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin State Senate passed Senate Bill 532 in an 18-15 vote on Tuesday to prohibit institutions in the UW system from charging students online course fees.

Currently, students throughout the UW system are being charged a “distance learning fee” for online courses even when no in-person option is offered. In some cases, the course is required for graduation.

Sen. Rob Hutton (R - Brookfield) and Sen. Steve Nash (R-Whitewater) introduced this bill to allow students to pursue higher education with fewer added costs.

Hutton said in session the bill will “protect students who depend on flexibility that online coursework enables.”

“It also makes the true cost of higher education more transparent and less obscured in the mess of heavy costs,” Hutton said. “Perhaps

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