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Higher Education Gets Boost in Governor’s Budget, Now It's Lawmakers' Turn |
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 Photo courtesy of Dept. of General Administration.
This year, the signs are favorable for the state as a whole and for higher education in particular. The last revenue forecast projected a nearly $1.9 billion reserve going into 2007–09. Buoyed by these numbers, last December Gov. Chris Gregoire, ’69, ’71, released a $30 billion state budget plan that included an additional $500 million for higher education to finance new enrollments, stronger financial aid and faculty raises.
For the UW, her proposal increases the operating budget by $198 million and makes substantial inroads in closing the almost $4,000-per-student funding gap between the UW and its peers (see “Minding the Gap,” December 2006). By combining tuition revenue with state funding, the UW hopes to offer its faculty a 5 percent pay increase this year and in 2008, helping stem recruitment and retention problems.
Population experts say that 2009 will be a record year for graduating high school students. In preparation for this wave, Gregoire’s budget provides for 1,630 new enrollments at the UW. The extra spaces include 530 undergraduate slots in Seattle for math, science, engineering and other high-demand majors; 210 graduate spots in Seattle; 480 new enrollments for Tacoma; and 440 additional spaces for Bothell. She recommends freezing tuition increases at no more than 7 percent annually. In-state, undergraduate tuition at the UW is currently $5,985.
The governor’s $144 million capital budget almost doubles current UW levels. It includes money for the reconstruction of Savery and Clark halls, the Playhouse Theater and the Magnuson Health Sciences Center H-Wing. In addition, the budget covers planning and design costs for renovations of Balmer, Lewis and Denny halls.
“We are very impressed with the governor’s budget for higher education and the University of Washington,” President Mark A. Emmert, ’75, said when it came out in December. “She has made it clear since the day she became governor that investing in the future of our state meant investing in the education of our children and young people. This bold budget, if adopted, ensures that Washington students will have access to a first-rate education at the UW.”
Now it is the lawmakers’ turn. “We are looking to see if the House and Senate adopt the governor’s pro-higher education approach. Recognizing that both houses have their own priorities, we hope they embrace the spirit of the governor’s budget,” says Randy Hodgins, ’79, ’83, the UW director of state relations.
The state budget isn’t the only topic in Olympia affecting the UW. Lawmakers in Snohomish County want a local institution that grants four-year degrees. Currently there are only community colleges in the county north of Seattle. The Legislature could turn to the UW to help solve the problem, says Hodgins. At the request of Rep. Hans Dunshee, the UW produced a “conceptual proposal” that would offer junior- and senior-level courses in conjunction with local community colleges. Other lawmakers are calling for a separate, four-year polytechnic campus.
Other issues include the expansion of State Route 520 and the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, which could impact Husky Stadium and the UW Medical Center. There are also calls for the UW to extend its student conduct code to cover activities beyond the boundaries of the campus.
The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on April 22. For more information about higher education issues this session, visit the UW State Relations Web site at www.washington.edu/about/staterel and the Huskies for Higher Education at huskiesforhighered.org. To speak with your legislator, call 1-800-562-6000.
Governor’s Budget Highlights
• $198 million increase in UW operating budget
• Begins to close funding gap with UW Global Challenge peers
• 1,630 new, full-time enrollments at all three UW campuses
• $144 million in state funding for capital projects
• Funds renovation of Savery Hall, Clark Hall, Playhouse Theater, Health Sciences Center H-Wing
• Caps in-state, undergraduate tuition increases at no more than 7 percent annually
• $10.1 million for new research initiatives and support. |
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