MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Board of Regents will consider awarding raises to top University of Wisconsin System leaders this week.

The regents are expected to approve contracts with three new chancellors and consider raises for the system president and other executives during meetings at UW-Milwaukee on Thursday and Friday.

The decisions could prove controversial given the tight state budget and an expected tuition increase of 5.5 percent.

State Rep. Steve Nass, chairman of an Assembly committee on higher education, says the 18-member board must show restraint with the salaries or risk a public backlash.

UW System spokesman David Giroux says the system needs higher salaries to attract top leaders and remain competitive.