Funding decisions for all of education

The Southeast Missourian recently reported, but probably to no one's surprise, that Missouri's higher education budget cuts were among the worst of any in the country.

For fiscal year 2003, which started July 1, funding for Missouri's colleges and universities dropped about 10.2 percent to $875 million, the second-highest percentage cut in the nation. It was second only to Oregon. That's according to the Dec. 13 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Most states are facing revenue shortfalls in this recession, and more cuts are on the horizon. Currently, the gap between budgeted expenses and anticipated revenue in Missouri is estimated to be $152 million. That could double to more than $300 million by June 30.

Of course, this hits home. Southeast Missouri State University is expecting another round of revenue withholdings that could reduce its state appropriations of $45.4 million for the current fiscal year by 10 percent to 15 percent. One immediate fallout is that the university's board of regents voted last week to increase tuition by as much as $8 a credit hour -- if the university sees further cuts.

Clearly, something has to be done. Gov. Bob Holden has announced his intention to create a new advisory commission to study the future of higher education.

While details are incomplete, Holden said the group will include lawmakers, higher education officials, private business leaders and members of not-for-profit organizations. The group would seek input from residents and experts on the role higher education plays in achieving economic growth and a higher quality of life.

Whether this is a good first step or just another example of studying a problem to death remains to be seen. Gathering good information is always a good idea as opposed to making blind decisions. But we already have a group that is supposed to be dealing with problems like these: the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

This board, also appointed by the governor and made up of state residents, is already charged with fostering a thriving system of quality higher education.

The creation of Holden's new advisory group ducks the issue.

At the same meeting where Holden announced the creation of the advisory group, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder said it may be time to alleviate the burden on higher education by cutting spending at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which was not only immune from cuts in the most recent budget cycle, but was one of the few agencies that saw a substantial funding increase.

The governor and legislators need to decide if they are committed to all of education, or just elementary and secondary education.