Higher education in Ohio spared state budget cuts

Gov. Ted Strickland is not asking Ohio’s universities and colleges to suffer the across-the-board cuts in spending that state agencies and departments will experience in the biennium budget, but that does not mean belt-tightening isn’t in order.

Indeed, Strickland’s decision to reward the institutions for extending the tuition freeze that has been in effect for the past two years comes with the public expectation that the freeze also applies to activity and other fees.

The governor’s budget unveiled this week would provide additional money for higher education that is the equivalent of a 3 percent tuition increase. In the second year of the budget, the universities and colleges would be limited to a 3.5 percent tuition increase.

As Dr. George McCloud, vice president for university advancement at Youngstown State University, acknowledged this week, the amount of state aid the institution is expected to receive will mean some difficult challenges and tough choices to balance the budget.

Although getting a break in the current economic climate is cause for some celebration, presidents and boards of trustees should take note of what the governor has proposed for employees of the state of Ohio.

The governor, a Democrat who will be running for re-election in 2010, is seeking pay cuts for all state employees, including those in the unions covered by contracts.

Big hit

The impact could range from pay freezes for workers earning the least, to a 6 percent cut for those making the most. The governor would take a $8,600 hit, while his budget director, Pari Sabety, would give up $7,500.

The governor is also asking state employees to pay 10 percent of their vision and dental coverage and life insurance.

The administration is currently negotiating with unionized state workers.

For a Democratic governor who has enjoyed support from the labor unions in Ohio, asking for concessions demonstrates the depth of the state’s budget crisis. Every public employee must realize that the choices facing government are those the private sector has dealt with for some time.

Operating expenses must be reduced — either through concessions by workers or layoffs.

At Youngstown State, trustees will undoubtedly have to determine whether the university can afford the pay raises that were agreed to with the unions and those granted to administrative staff.

The choices they face will not be easy or pleasant, but as Chancellor of Higher Education Eric Fingerhut has said, trustees have a responsibility to those who pay the tab — students, parents and the taxpayers.

Fingerhut and the governor are committed to encouraging more young Ohioans to pursue higher education and they believe that keeping tuition affordable will help realize that goal.

While the Strickland administration works to spare Ohio’s universities and colleges from the full impact of the economic crisis, Congress has an opportunity to also play a role in boosting higher education attendance.

The stimulus package approved by the House contains a $500 increase in the Pell Grant scholarship each of the 7 million eligible students would receive. However, there is opposition in the Senate to this line item because of there not being an immediate job-creation benefit.

Investment in higher education is a national priority that must not fall prey to partisan politics.

The Pell Grant program should be retained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.