UPDATED Friday, November 6, 2009 --- 8:40 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- At least half of the citizen members on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents would have to come from different parts of the state under a bill passed by the Legislature.

Fourteen citizen members currently serve on the board. The bill would carve the state into seven geographic districts. At least one citizen member would have to live in each district. The governor would have to begin making appointments to meet the new standards in 2012.

Both the Senate and Assembly passed the measure Thursday. It now heads to Gov. Jim Doyle for his consideration.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Thursday, August 13, 2009 --- 8:10 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The longtime University of Wisconsin-Stout chancellor is supporting a bill that would require regional representation on the Board of Regents.

Charles Sorensen says the Chippewa Valley region has never had a non-student member on the board "for as long as anyone can remember" leaving Stout and UW-Eau Claire without representation.

He says "nothing can compare" to having a citizen on the board who understands the needs and concerns of the area.

The Legislature is considering a bill that would require at least one member on the 18-member board to come from each of seven different geographical areas.

Supporters complain that members from Madison and Milwaukee dominate the board that governs state universities.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted Thursday, July 9, 2009 --- 7:45 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- An Assembly committee took testimony Wednesday on whether University of Wisconsin System regents should be required to come from all parts of the state.

The Committee on Colleges and Universities is considering the bill that would require at least one member on the 18-member board to come from each of seven different geographical areas.

Lawmakers of both parties, many of them from out-state areas, have signed on to the plan, which would take effect in 2015. Republican Rep. John Townsend of Fond du Lac said the committee took no immediate action on the bill.

Regents from Madison and Milwaukee dominate the current board but other regents hail from La Crosse, Green Bay and Neenah.

The board is the governing body of the UW System, which includes 13 four-year universities and 13 two-year colleges.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.