Wisconsin Administrative Code Technical College System Board
Wisconsin Administrative Code: Technical College System Board (TCSB)
Overview
The Technical College System Board (TCSB) in Wisconsin is the state agency responsible for overseeing the state’s technical colleges. It sets policies, allocates state funding, approves program standards, and ensures compliance with state educational laws for technical colleges.
The Wisconsin Administrative Code contains rules that govern how the Technical College System Board operates, how technical colleges must comply with state policies, and standards for educational programs, facilities, personnel, and student affairs.
Key Areas in the Wisconsin Administrative Code Pertaining to the Technical College System Board
Governance and Administration
The structure and authority of the TCSB.
Powers and duties, including approval of college budgets, curricula, and strategic plans.
Procedures for board meetings, rulemaking, and appeals.
Funding and Financial Management
Criteria for state aid distribution to technical colleges.
Financial accountability and auditing requirements.
Reporting standards for colleges receiving public funds.
Academic Programs
Approval and review of new programs.
Standards for maintaining accreditation and quality.
Transferability of credits and articulation agreements.
Personnel Standards
Qualifications and certification of faculty and staff.
Rules concerning hiring, evaluation, and professional development.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Policies on admissions, attendance, and conduct.
Grievance procedures and disciplinary processes.
Access to educational programs and non-discrimination policies.
Facilities and Equipment
Standards for adequate facilities and equipment to support programs.
Safety and accessibility requirements.
Key Code Sections
Chapter TCS 1-9 (for example): Outlines the operational rules of the Technical College System Board.
Chapters covering program approvals, financial aid, and facility standards.
Relevant Wisconsin Case Law Related to Technical College System Board
Technical College District Board v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, 56 Wis. 2d 495, 202 N.W.2d 434 (1972)
Issue: Collective bargaining rights of technical college employees and the board’s obligations under labor law.
Holding: The Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the Technical College Board, as a public employer, must bargain collectively with employee unions.
Relevance: This case clarifies the TCSB’s authority and limits regarding labor relations under state law and administrative rules.
Madison Area Technical College District Board v. LIRC, 117 Wis. 2d 16, 343 N.W.2d 99 (1984)
Issue: Whether TCSB policies complied with state statutes regarding employee grievance procedures.
Holding: The court upheld the Labor Relations Commission’s interpretation that the board’s policies must align with statutory requirements.
Relevance: Establishes that the TCSB must operate within statutory frameworks for personnel policies, consistent with administrative rules.
Wisconsin Technical College System Board v. DOR, 2005 WI App 34, 278 Wis. 2d 83, 691 N.W.2d 776
Issue: Tax exemptions and financial matters related to technical college property.
Holding: The court analyzed the extent of TCSB’s property tax exemptions and their consistency with state law.
Relevance: This clarifies financial and property-related powers under the administrative code and state statutes.
Summary
The Wisconsin Administrative Code for the Technical College System Board provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for the governance, funding, academic standards, personnel policies, and student affairs of technical colleges statewide. The board’s rules ensure compliance with statutory mandates and maintain educational quality.
Case law in Wisconsin has emphasized the board’s role as a state agency with significant authority but also subject to limits imposed by labor laws, statutory regulations, and judicial review. These cases illustrate how courts have balanced the board’s administrative discretion with legal requirements, especially in labor relations, grievance processes, and financial management.
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