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Show The Daily Utah Chronicle - CD Friday, January 24, 1992 Page Six Close The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Seven In pursuit of'the future: funding higher education U.'s budget request places student support and enrollment at the top Increases to yield tangible results 1992-9- 3 Tuition money won't disappear into blackhole legislative budget request, able to "see the direct link between higher tuition and the quality of their education," said revenue from the increased tuition collected from existing students to student services, computers and libraries. for Urgent Student Support will Student Support, which ties the By Jennifer Gully Chronicle Associate Editor "That's a significant change from the past," Anthony Morgan, vice president for budget and planning, said. "We, among other institutions, convinced them the Regents that it was more important to put U. For many students, writing a check for tuition is like sending hard-earne- d dollars into a black hole; its hard to find an indication that it went anywhere. "Students have no way to Urgent Student Support above measure whether the increased tuition is improving the quality of their education," said Vicki Varela, assistant to the commissioner of higher education. But, despite the fact that students are unable to see where their tuition dollars are going, he said. "It makes sense to increase funding for those things that directly affect and impact translate into shorter lines at financial aid, admissions, the counselling center, computing and the library. All of these areas have been forced to serve an increased number of students because of the jumps in enrollment during the last few years, but they haven't had the financial means to efficiently handle the influx of new students, Morgan said. The U. has received funding to partially cover the cost of its services, little has been available to maintain student support services-becaus- money has been utilized to increase the number of professors and instructors, explained. With more students using facilities and attending classes continue to arrive in the has used mail. In keeping with 1990-9- 1 1989-9- 0 tuition increases of the last 1988-8- 9 several years, the University of Utah plans to increase 1987-8- 8 undergraduate students enrolled for 12 credit hours per quarter will be $1,982 for 1991-9compared to $1,884 for 1990-9While the decision to increase tuition may not be new, with legislative approval, the way in 2, 1. which the U. uses some of the revenue will be. For the first time, the U., as well newly-generate- the money from admissions, financial aid, and other instructional neglected in the effort to fund the direct costs of new students at the U., according to the Utah Stage Board of Regents' 1992-9- 3 budget request. the Although believe Regents prioritized funding for Urgent Student will Support for relief provide the student and d as the state's eight other colleges and universities, structured its legislative budget, request so students won't feel as if their tuition dollars are simply a labyrinth of and offices red tape. accounting In the State Board of Regents' disappearing into support services that have been to fund with $5,081,500 tuition dollars and Legislature $5 3 1 , 700 state tax dollars. Gov. Norm Bangerter's budget proposal indicates he supports funding about $2.8 million of the $5.6 million- request and the Legislative Fiscal Analysts' Office has proposed funding $2.3 million of the request. By specifically earmarking the increased tuition revenue from existing students for Urgent - barely covered the costs of simply running the institution, according to the 1992-9- 3 Regents budget request. costs Covering the steeply-risin- g of higher education has been difficult or the U. because the number of full-tim- e students enrolled at the school has been higher than the projected figures used to determine funding requests. While the Regents have a formula that allows the U. and other institutions to use some of The base adjustment of the education." Library materials and support staff, instructional increased enrollment during the last few years, but the money has $21,263,900 higher than last year's base budget of $174,458,800. The increase covers a base adjustment as well as "building blocks," which prioritize the U.'s financial needs. things to insure some quality computing "overextended and underfunded," it is not a permanent fixture in budget request. "We don't feel like it's a solution, but it's a first step," Varela said. "We don't think it's going to be a miracle, but it will start to address those things." Regents would like to channel the tuition increases from existing students into support areas that insure a quality education at each of the institutions every year, but they don't want to limit the legislators budgeting options, she said. "Legislators want flexibility when they are preparing the budget." OttONIOf PHOTOCbtoi Corpntw University of Utah students have been signing petitions supporting a Library Bond Bill which would provide funds to expand Marriott Library's structure and collections. The petition will ultimately be presented to legislators. Students use U. would receive largest portion By Rebecca Walsh Chronicle Editor in Chief r 1 "1 collection conditions at all the Legislature. Student lobbyists are lending their support to Rep. Craig who is Moody, House Bill 161, sponsoring Bonding Academic Libraries. libraries. A statewide library study conducted in 1988 determined the immediate need for structural and acquisitional changes at nine university The bill would allow the state to sell bonds to Utah's citizens now libraries in the state. "Salt Lake Community College didn't even of have a library," he said. with, guarantees reimbursement within seven Although the U. would receive If all 24,000 University of Utah years. Moody's bill calls for a almost half the funds raised by students wanted to study at total of $38 million raised from Moody's bill $17 million the Marriott Library tomorrow, only bond sales to be devoted to bill would complete expansions and expanding and construction at all state 1,440 would find seats. And if updating those students wanted: to libraries at the U.," Southern Utah institutions. Braza said U. research a paper, many of them University, the College of officials would use their funding would find the journals listed on Eastern Utah, Snow College, portion to expand Marriott the Infotrac printout Weber State University and a Library, doubling its storage and from systemwide absent conspicuously acquisitions study space, and would use the allotment. Marriott's shelves. remaining funds to renew and Vickie Varela, assistant to the improve its collection. Other state institutions' Student lobbyists are trying to of libraries are not in much: better commissioner higher ASUU Gov. their influence as voters on exert Norm Mark said Braza, education, shape Bangerter is proposing an state legislators through letters government relations board said. So, ASUU's additional $17 million provided and calls, a general petition and government relations board is through his personal bonding personal visits with legislative spearheading a multipronged initiatives which would also representatives. "Our power as effort to rectify the current provide for general library students is in our sheer numbers situation at Marriott Library and improvements at all state as potential voters," Braza said. Varela said, ."Student effort other state university libraries by universities. Bill Bond Braza bond is said the could make the difference bill a pushing Library State to and 1992 between this bond. passing or the pivotal improving study through 1 . co-cha- budget is an annual increase that differs from year to year. This year's base adjustment increase is $8,936,300 and it covers cost of living pay increases for faculty and staff at the U., operation and maintenance of new facilities and other mandated costs such as utilities and general upkeep. Above the base adjustment, the budget request is broken down into four itemized priorities, all of which are "necessary adjustments" ir, failing." She added students' lobbying efforts are particularly effective in pushing their voting prerogative. "It's easy for legislators to distance from general themselves lobbying efforts from the university, but if someone from your neighborhood says 'this is what I care about,' it really three-pronge- d impacts the legislative process." The Utah Student Association has formed a coalition of students statewide to lobby legislators to support the bond bill. Students from Salt Lake Community College, Weber State universal, Bart Kunz, Associated Students of Utah State University science senator, said. Kunz said he has approached n I I I Susan Williams Chronicle News Editor By i D-S- R-S- legislative session dealing with Higher Education..... "....the most important issue is funding to reduce class size. But a more realistic issue is proper funding for professors." Erik Posey electrical engineering Junior "....definitely the library. I signed my name to the library petition. The Legislature has been apathetic about education, so they don't realize the importance of the library." Junior Curtis Jones English teaching major "...funds for the library. Also, the U. needs to have more professors instead of graduate students teaching undergraduate studies." Shahean Talebreza Junior political science the Commissioner of Higher Education. Essentially Urgent Student for instructional educationally critical programs and various programs that need funding from the state and totals Support would be like putting the money generated by the tuition increase for existing students into a separate account rather than into the general tax pot, Varela said. The second block is for enrollment growth at the U. Every year the U. receives funding for what is called a Full Time Equivalent, an undergraduate student taking 12 or more credit hours. This year the U. has 775 unfunded students and a proposed growth of 389 students for next year. The U. is asking the state for $3,880,800. The 1992-9- 3 budget increase is about equal to those of previous require hiring new professors and said. $5,333,000 to fund the cost of 1,164 new students, which will bill the bill. Braza said, "These issues affect every student in the state. Students are beginning to feel the effects of decreased funding day-to-da- y basis." Varela said students' forming a coalition lends greater credibility to their cause. Rep. Paula Julander, Lake, said the letters she has received from students within and outside her voting district , D-S- have affected her final decision. "Students' writing to me carries personal thoughts and concerns to me. That's very powerful." Both Varela and Braza said the greatest obstacle student lobbyists face in their effort to push the library bond bill through the State Legislature is legislators' spending policies. conservative followed a similar trend of previous years. Tony Morgan, vice president for budget and planning, said higher education will probably receive something around the $11.3 million that the governor proposed. "We probably won't know exactly what we're going to get until Feb. 26 at 10 p.m.," Morgan through ASUU's public affairs board requesting its members write letters to legislators supporting on a years. The 1990-9- 1 budget was approximately $11 million higher than the 1989-9- 0 budget, which "The biggest challenge we face is that legislators in Utah are very proud of their tradition of conservative budgeting they're very reluctant to go into debt for any reason," Braza said. Varela agreed saying, "Legislators never take on a bonding issue easily. They always approach something like this cautiously due to the state's statutory limit on spending." Julander said legislators generally support the bond bill's ultimate mission to make university libraries meet the needs of every student's education, but that mission will have to supersede other urgent needs to pass both houses with the required two-thirvote. Braza said, "Legislators have a ds duty to provide a quality education to their constituents a duty they're really starting to recognize." Varela said she is confident the bill will pass with the combined efforts of students, the professional reports of the Utah System of Higher Education and supporters within the Legislature. Legislators debate student lobbyists' potency Most legislators agree that student lobbyists are few, but their effectiveness is debated. "I don't think they're terribly involved, but students usually aren't," Sen. Robert Lake, said. Steiner, Lake, said, "I think the However, Speaker of the House Craig Moody, In your opinion, what are the most important issues for the 1992 programs that would directly benefit students, Vicki Varela, libraries improvements. The final priority listed in the budget request is called the Urgent Priorities, which includes 16 existing students would go toward Utah State a lot of weight because their University, Southern Utah letters are not organized form University, U. have letters or petitions. These and the University combined their efforts to protect students have taken a pencil in the common interests of all their hand and written their students at their schools. Although USU has already received funding from general state tax revenue to update its library, students' interests are its third priority, Statewide Initiatives, the U. is requesting $859,300 to fund loans and grants In the disadvantaged, approach to push bond three-pronge- d think: What are the most important high 1 is purchasing equipment. would mandate that all funds generated from the six percent 1992-9- 3 tuition increase for assistant-t- o The U.'s total request institutions," Varela explained. "It doesn't pay for advising or libraries all of the Data Book students." The total expenditure for Urgent Student Support is $5,613,200, which the Regents have asked the funds than it did last year. money it just takes care of the basic costs of funding the academic year. 1992-9- 3 Utah State Legislature for $16,964,300 more in state tax increased courses. "When we get enrollment tuition six percent for the 1992-9- 3 Source: Utah System of Higher Education I enrollment growth to cover buildine maintenance and 5.2 6.5 7.6 6.6 3.4 $1,982 $1,884 $1,769 $1,644 ,542 1991-9- 2 rn To keep pace with inflation and an increased number of students, the University of Utah is asking the than it receives funding for, the U. Increase Annual amount Year , Annual resident for tuition Morgan that are needed to preserve the current level of operation at the U. Urgent Student Support, the first step in the "building block" plan, Dave Fields Chronicle Staff Writer most of the e services have been percent for 1991-9- 2 and 6.5 percent for the funding for enrollment growth," Andy Cooley, ASUU president. At the U., Cooley hopes funding the money from enrollment growth for student support University of Utah Resident Tuition and Fees for Undergraduate Students tuition bills, with "amount due" totals that 5.2 increased 1990-91- Student Support, students will be the first priority for all of the institutions in Utah's higher education system is Urgent ...cost of tuition. should even take classes suchThey as physical education out of schools. " Laurel Cayton Freshmanpsychology "...raising teacher's salaries. I think it's important and feasible but I doubt the Legislature will think so. More money also needs to go to the Marriott Library." Kris Gundlach Junior anthropology "...the underfunded fine arts. It's ridiculous. Culture is important to the development of a rich society. To get along with the world politically, we need to understand other cultures." Jennifer Webster Freshman music CHIONJQi rH0T0SA legislators are really influenced by the information they receive" and that "the students are really working." And if legislators don't receive much correspondence from students, it's because they don't receive much at all, Moody said. In fact, correspondence with constituents is so rare legislators joke that they have received 2,000 phone calls when they only received five, he said. And legislators know that students are often busy and may not have time to write letters, Moody said. "1 think legislators would consider the fact that many students are involved in their education," as well as work and other activities, he added. Lake, said she heard a "little, tiny bit" from Sen. Karen. Shepherd, from a law student concerning the library bond letter received one students; she bill. Higher education legislation would have a better chance of passing intact if students lobbied more, Shepherd said. "It would be extremely important." Legislators also know that not many students vote, although many are registered, she said. "Legislators kind of know that. They don't take them seriously because they won't be held accountable." However, students could have a lot more influence at the legislature if they lobbied more and if they involved their parents in the issues, she added. Mark Braza, Associated Students of the University of Utah government relations board chair, said he realizes student voting has been low in the past and that's why D-Sa- lt a voting registration drive was previously held for students. However, Braza said, "Legislators ought to take any citizen seriously, especially when the citizen is a recipient of a particular service like education, and I think they have." Steiner agreed, saying, "I treat them like all the constituents." But ASUU officials want to make sure U. students' concerns are really recognized. The ASUU board's efforts involve targeting key legislators to support higher education legislation affecting the U., according to Braza. Efforts also include urging students to volunteer to lobby these legislators. "We've been reaching out to students through various student groups and political science classes, politically active organizations, or students who have expressed to have interest in doing something about the problems of education at the U. We're giving these students the means to express their views to the legislators," Braza said. He said 250 students have responded and are ready to volunteer. Joel Kittrell, ASUU government relations board member, said students with specific districts to coordinate letter writing or telephoning legislators. When necessary, students even meet with the legislators. Vicki Varela, assistant to the commissioner of higher education for government and media relations, said student leaders have worked hard on the library bond bill and its passage will be a student victory. "We'll all work hard on it, but when legislators hear directly from students, it brings it home in a way I can't," Varela said. Moody said that direct contact between students and legislators is the most effect means of lobbying. Many legislators haven't been to the U. in a long time and may not realize what problems are occurring. Their experience with the U. is "sometimes old history rather than current status," he said. Inviting state legislators to go to students' classes with them last quarter was a "brilliant" idea, he said. "We need more of that; we need more legislators up on that hill." g |