Metro State wants $3 million to add more tenured professors so it can increase retention. The University of Colorado says it has been harder hit than other state institutions in funding cuts. The state’s community colleges want more money for rural education.
State colleges and universities will do their best today to convince a roomful of higher-education commissioners and lawmakers – and even the governor for an hour or so – that they are using state money wisely, but need more of it.
In the first-ever open meeting with higher-education commissioners and lawmakers, presidents from each of the dozen or so public universities and colleges will get one-on-one time at the state Capitol to make their pitches for more cash.
“Part of the message is that ‘we’re not waiting around for you to give us more money,”‘ said Steve Jordan, president of Metropolitan State College of Denver. “But we need their help if we’re ultimately going to be successful.”
The presentations today are expected to include:
Metro State calling for roughly $4 million to add more tenure-track faculty and shore up a program for students in their first year. Studies have shown that higher numbers of tenure- track faculty help keep students from leaving college, Jordan said.
Colorado State University asking for more money to help poor students afford tuition.
The University of Colorado talking about the $832 million needed to bring all the state’s colleges and universities up to average funding levels.
And president Hank Brown pointing out that CU has suffered disproportionately from funding cuts, compared with other state institutions.
The Colorado Community College System talking about its successful nursing and paramedic programs. President Nancy McCallin will tell the commissioners that it is $40 million down from 2001 funding levels.
She would like a rural funding allocation, like other state colleges serving rural areas. She now takes $10 million from her urban systems to help her rural ones.
Gov. Bill Ritter will submit his budget proposals, including money for higher education, to the Joint Budget Committee on Nov. 1.
His spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said Thursday that his commitment to helping higher education will be reflected in the 2009 budget.
“The governor has said over and over again that he wants to dig higher ed out of the hole that the recession pushed it into,” Dreyer said.
McCallin said she was excited for the open forum.
“So often the commissioners hear from us when we may not necessarily agree with them,” she said. “This is our chance to give them a broad base on what we’re doing.”
Allison Sherry: 303-954-1377 or asherry@denverpost.com
