But August said the complicated financing plan offers an advantage over simply allocating tax dollars to a scholarship fund. Under the bill, most of the borrowed money would end up in a BCPL fund that the state constitution requires to be spent on the university, so a future Legislature couldn’t tap it for other purposes, August said.

Nass’ spokesman said the senator expected to take heat over the stewardship fund.

“We know people are going to have concerns, we knew stewardship would be a concern,” Mikalson said. “This is with the best of intentions, but we are going to take some arrows on it.”

Pointed criticism was offered by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters and Gathering Waters.

“What this bill does is to reduce the funds available for grants that are used to increase public access and land conservation,” said Carlson, the land trust alliance director.

University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross has often found the university in the cross-hairs of Republicans like Nass, who have criticized classes on race and cultural sensitivity programs.