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Faculty Assembly

Supporting Higher Education

A Motion Presented by the Ad Hoc Strategic Issues Committee

And Unanimously Approved by

The University of Colorado Faculty Council

For Presentation to the Board of Regents

February 5, 2004

 

Whereas, the current fiscal crisis in public higher education concerns us deeply as elected faculty representatives from theUniversity of Colorado campuses at Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver and the Health Sciences Center. We have watched TABOR, Amendment 23 and the Gallagher Amendment - combined with the recent economic recession and its resultant drop in tax revenues - erode the State Legislature's support for public higher education in Colorado. The funding has gone down from $686 million in 1990 to only $270 million in 2004. If nothing is done, there will be NO appropriated funding for any of Colorado's public universities, colleges or community colleges by 2009. These numbers are frightening. And they are real. The State Legislature's data and numerous independent reports back them up.

Whereas, the University of Colorado has responded appropriately to this fiscal crisis. We have cut expenses. We have worked actively to increase other revenue sources such as grants and contracts. We have implemented modest tuition increases compared with much larger increases at public universities nationwide. Under the leadership of President Hoffman, the CU System is exploring and recommending the range of legislative solutions presented in the December 2003 report, "Surviving Financial Challenges in Colorado Public Higher Education."

But unless the State of Colorado adequately funds our public universities, the following changes are not only possible but also very likely. Access will be more restricted. Classes will be larger. Fewer degree programs and courses will be offered, less often, in fewer locations. While increased financial aid will probably be available for low-income students, most middle-income students (and their families) will pay more to attend.

Whereas, we teach at the University of Colorado because we firmly believe in the values and goals of public higher education - equal opportunity for all, based on merit and need; a range of academic programs and courses that meet the needs of our communities and State; and continued economic development for the State of Colorado.

Therefore, be it resolved that: We, the faculty of the University of Colorado, urge Colorado voters to learn about this critical issue, discuss it with friends and family, and support efforts now under way to resolve it. We applaud and appreciate the student governments' initiatives (S.H.E. -Support for Higher Education. The State's citizens CAN make a difference to higher education, which in turn makes a difference to our State.