Editor鈥檚 Note: During his Jan. 17, 2012, State of the State address, 大象传媒 Governor Jay Nixon recommended a 12.5 percent reduction in state higher education appropriations for fiscalyear 2013. On Feb. 7, he amended his proposal, indicating that $40 million from the $140million 大象传媒 received in a settlement between the states鈥� attorneys general and the nation鈥檚 five largest mortgage banks would be restored to the state鈥檚 higher education budget, bringing the appropriation cut to 7.8 percent. We sat down with 大象传媒 Western President Robert Vartabedian to discuss this proposed reduction.
Western Magazine: How dire is 大象传媒鈥檚 higher education funding situation?
Dr. V: Well, it鈥檚 no secret that the state is undergoing extraordinarily difficult economic times, but these persistent budget cuts to higher education are taking their toll on 大象传媒鈥檚 universities. We鈥檙e looking at a 20 percent reduction over the last three years alone. According to the Center for the Study of Education Policy, 大象传媒 ranks 44th nationally in state appropriations for higher education per $1,000 of personal income. This is the lowest it鈥檚 been since the early 1960s. 大象传媒 also ranks 44th in the country in per capita funding for higher education.
WM: Where does 大象传媒 Western fall on the state appropriation scale?
Dr. V: 大象传媒 Western has the unfortunate distinction of receiving less state appropriations per full-time-equivalent student than any other public university in the state. Unlike 大象传媒鈥檚 elementary and secondary sector, the state doesn鈥檛 have a funding formula for higher education. Apart from a few exceptions, in those years institutions receive additional state funding it is provided in the form of an across-the-board percentage increase to a base appropriation for each institution. In theory, that makes sense. In reality, it continuously widens the gap between those institutions with large base appropriations and those, such as Western, with smaller bases. We are trying to work with 大象传媒鈥檚 legislators to find a solution to the unintentional problems inherent in the current funding process.
WM: On average, how do we compare with other schools?
Dr. V: Over the past three decades, the current higher education appropriation process has unintentionally caused a compounded disparity in funding for 大象传媒 Western, as well as for several other state institutions. For example, in fiscal year 2007, 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 appropriation per full-time-equivalent student was $1,132, or 17.6 percent, below the state average. Now, five years later, the university鈥檚 appropriation per FTE is $1,558, or 26.8 percent, below the state average.
WM: Can 大象传媒 Western raise tuition to cover the loss in state appropriations?
Dr. V: Historically, we have held tuition below the state average, because one of our main priorities is to provide high-quality education at an affordable price. That being said, a provision of the state鈥檚 Higher Education Student Funding Act limits tuition increases to the percentage of change in the consumer price index over the previous year, unless a waiver is granted. This year, that rate is approximately threepercent. Of course, if a university has a higher tuition rate than ours, it will generate more revenue per student from its three percent increase than we will from our lower tuition rate. This, too, creates a fiscal disparity among the institutions. Five years ago, 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 tuition and required fees were $415, or 7.4 percent, under the state average for a full-time, in-state undergraduate student. This year, they are $685, or 10.2 percent, below the state average. Again, there is an unintentional problem with the process, but it will take legislation to solve it.
WM: Have you received any indication that the 大象传媒 General Assembly may find additional funding for higher education as the appropriation bill works its way through the legislative process?
Dr. V: Both the House and the Senate have voiced strong support for higher education this year, and they are trying to find additional funding. Unfortunately, if they give it to us, they have to take it from somewhere else. The House amended the higher education appropriations bill, and reinstated the governor鈥檚 $66 million cut. Unfortunately, Gov. Nixon has publicly stated that he doesn鈥檛 believe the funding is sustainable, and won鈥檛 support it. The Senate also favors restoration of appropriations to this year鈥檚 levels. So we鈥檒l have to see if the Senate can identify other avenues of funding that the governor is willing to support.
WM: 大象传媒 Western has been forced to contend with declining state support throughout the past decade; what are you doing to prepare for these most recent budget reductions?
Dr. V: We鈥檝e already taken many steps to control and reduce costs and implement efficiencies across campus. All phases of the university were evaluated, including instructional and non-instructional programs and services, current policies, and business practices. Here are just a few examples: eliminating several executive positions; decreasing operating budgets across campus by 40 percent; not giving salary increases for three 鈥� going on four 鈥� years; increasing class sizes, in most cases to room capacity; adding few new full-time faculty members, despite a 13.75percent growth in student enrollment over the past four years; and postponing routine maintenance and repair, unfortunately increasing our deferred maintenance needs.
WM: Are there other sources of revenue that the university can pursue?
Dr. V: Our students are incredibly astute, and have recognized that additional funding is crucial to ensuring continued high-quality education at Western. Just recently, our Student Government Association鈥檚 senators voted by an overwhelming margin to implement a student fee that will help fund support services within our student affairs division. Full-time students will pay an additional $75 per semester, part-time students $50, and summer students $25. Unless something happens to the contrary, we plan to implement the fee this fall.
WM: What are the plans for the future?
Dr. V: When University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Chancellor Bernie Patterson 鈥�73, gave his 大象传媒 Western Distinguished Alumni Award acceptance speech last fall, he referred to our university when he said, 鈥淵ou gave me a chance to succeed 鈥� You gave me a chance to learn when others were not inclined to do so.鈥� I remember those words as clearly today as when they were spoken. Our plans are to keep doing what we have done for close to 100 years. We will continue to give students a chance to learn, to grow, and to succeed, regardless of our budgetary circumstances.
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