Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 30, 1995 TAG: 9511010090
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
For the Senate seat covering Roanoke and most of Roanoke County.
John Edwards (D)
He believes Gov. George Allen has been "decimating" state colleges and universities, particularly in Southwestern Virginia. Has signed a pledge to support $200 million in additional funding to state colleges and universities. The funding would come out of $700 million in additional tax revenues the state expects to receive next year.
"Virginia currently ranks 42nd nationally in per-student support for higher education, while our competitor, North Carolina, ranks seventh," he says. "Is it any wonder we are losing jobs to North Carolina?" He believes the state should lower college and university tuition rates, because Virginia has one of the highest in-state tuition rates in the nation. Promotes creating a "higher education center" in Roanoke, using the old Norfolk Southern buildings near the Hotel Roanoke, so students could obtain a four-year degree without leaving Roanoke.
State Sen. Brandon Bell (R)
"The quality of our universities and the dedication among the administrators and professors is reflected in the number of high school students across the country that apply each year to the University of Virginia, Tech and other Virginia universities. But in light of that, it is time to make higher education a top priority in Virginia. With a projected state budget of $700 million in new money, a significant portion of that should go toward higher education. With that, we also need accountability from university administrators in continuing to improve the quality of our institutions. Our university presidents know best, but I would like to see money go toward providing more time of instruction from our professors."
the House of Delegates seat covering western Bedford County, most of Roanoke County except the southwest precincts, southern Botetourt County and Craig County.
Del. Richard Cranwell (D)
"Virginia has an outstanding system of colleges and universities, one of the best in the United States. Virginia is one of only two states that made it through the last recession without a tax increase. However, it was necessary during that four-year period for Virginia to cut the budgets of our colleges. As a result, tuition costs went up. The most important task is to get tuition costs under control and make sure that classes are available in a reasonable size for our college students.
"We have laid the groundwork to expand access to higher education through technology. For example, we now have a program where an individual can obtain a four-year degree and complete a graduate program by video instruction. Programs such as this also need to be expanded. Particularly, we need to make the community college system more accessible for part-time students to help continuing education efforts for what has become a very competitive job market in a very intensive information economy.
"We should infuse an additional $200 million into our colleges and universities during the next session. Funds to do that will come from surplus funds, which should exceed $1 billion in the next two years. These funds should be used to hold down tuition costs and to provide accessible classes for our students, which is absolutely critical in order to give as many young Virginians as possible an opportunity to earn an advanced degree."
Trixie Averill (R)
"Despite what many think, Virginia still has one of the strongest systems of higher education in the country." She notes that Money magazine, U.S. News and World Report and other publications that "rank" colleges continue to give Virginia schools high marks.
"The most important consideration for colleges and universities, however, is how to keep tuition costs down while still maintaining academic excellence. During the period from 1981 to 1993, average tuition at Virginia institutions increased by 231 percent. Under Governor Allen's leadership, however, we have capped tuition and mandatory fee increases to the rate of inflation. Due to aggressive changes in the way Virginia does business under Governor Allen, some colleges and universities are forecasting an actual reduction in the cost of instruction.
"Additional funding is a necessity for any college or university. This funding should come from an expanding economy. ... With this increased funding, Virginia colleges and universities can decrease tuition while increasing the number of student services. This additional funding can also be used to attract professors of a high caliber to Virginia. This can cut down on the amount of graduate students teaching undergraduate courses."
the House of Delegates seat covering Floyd County, most of Franklin County, part of Pittsylvania County and the Moneta precinct in Bedford County.
Claude Whitehead (D)
"What is happening to our once-proud educational system is probably causing me more concern than any other issue in this election. Funding for higher education has been cut 27 percent since 1990. In the case period, tuition costs have increased to the second-highest in the nation. Initially, the recession was the reason, but it was assumed full funding would be resumed when the recession ended. Then Governor Allen proposed another substantial cut ($40 million) at this year's General Assembly."
He says the state's system of higher education is "deteriorating." He says Virginia schools "are losing quality faculty at a rapid rate" and the "quality and prestige of some of our finer schools is slipping badly. The U.S. News and World Report ranking of engineering schools, for instance, now puts Virginia Tech in 34th place - a drop from 17th place before all these cutbacks began."
He warns that Allen may propose further cuts. "This will be devastating to our future job development efforts in Virginia." He proposes the state increase higher-education funding by "at least $200 million" in the next two-year state budget, which he says can be done through normal revenue growth, without a tax increase. This additional funding, he says, "should be spent on upgrading and expanding the physical plant, the hiring of quality faculty and a solid start on bringing tuitions within the reach of the average family." He also wants to see the state's Tuition Assistance Grants to students attending private colleges, "such as Ferrum and Roanoke," increased from $1,500 to $2,000.
Del. Allen Dudley (R)
"From 1986 to 1993 Virginia's national ranking in higher education funding dropped from 22nd to 46th, while tuition costs rose tremendously, making it more difficult for our young people to continue their education. While Governor Allen has helped limit tuition increases to 3 percent for the last two years, we should take further action to ensure that education and training beyond the high school level is available at a reasonable cost. I support increasing and expanding the Tuition Assistance Grant program as one means of doing this."
He also wants "continued emphasis" on "accountability and restructuring."
the state Senate seat covering Montgomery County, part of Pulaski County, most of Carroll County, Galax, Grayson County and Smyth County.
State Sen. Madison Marye (D)
"Virginia ranks 43rd in its support to higher education. Additional funding needs to be invested in higher education. In a rising economy, greater resources are available and should be invested in higher education. I support the Democratic initiative to add $200 million to higher education in each of the next two years of the biennium. Funding is at a level where we are close to 'eating our seed corn.' We are seeing distinguished professors relocating out of state, taking with them millions of dollars in federal and private research money. We're seeing opportunities limited for our own citizens because of high tuition levels."
Pat Cupp (R)
"Virginia offers some of the most diverse and academically respected colleges and universities in the world, and we have a very good community college system. I am a strong supporter of higher education, especially Virginia Tech, Radford University and New River Community College, not only because of the quality of educational opportunities, but also because of the economic impact they have on the economy of Southwest Virginia. I also appreciate the valuable research conducted for new technologies by Virginia Tech.
"Higher education has taken many hits the past several years in drastic cuts and skyrocketing tuition. This must stop, and legislators must work on a bipartisan basis to keep focus on education and not politics.
"Obviously, we must increase our funding for higher education, and I think the new plans proposed by Radford University and Virginia Tech show fiscal responsibility while the universities continue to strive for the quality education that all of us desire.
"Additional funds to higher education can come in several ways. First, we must continue to cut wasteful spending in other areas of the state budget that take away from higher education. Secondly, we need to increase public/private partnerships with industry. Finally, we need to continue a growing economy with new job creation that expands our tax base and thus provides more revenue. A portion of this revenue should be earmarked for higher education.
"Increased funding for education should also include raises to deserving faculty and staff. We do not want to lose valuable human resources. Also, we need to provide funding for research and other investments for higher education to keep us competitive with other states.''
the state Senate seat covering Bedford, Bedford County, Lynchburg and Amherst County.
Barbara Coleman (D)
"It's critical. The funding levels have not allowed for real kinds of increases for the working of our colleges and universities. It has not allowed for us to expand the teaching staff or the course content area. And although we've worked hard in the past decade to increase the viability and competitiveness of our higher education system, if we're not careful, we'll just as quickly allow that competitive edge to be lost.
"Monies should be spent to allow for the maintenance of quality course offerings, the assurance of updated equipment and technological kinds of needs. It has to come from the general fund because higher education is just as much a state constitutional guarantee as elementary and secondary ed.
Del. Steve Newman (R)
"First, I think that the colleges and universities of Virginia are wonderful assets for the state. We have a lot to be proud of in our higher education. However, I do not believe that excellence is always tied to more funding. We've seen businesses that have become more efficient, we've seen businesses use higher technology, and our state colleges and universities must do the same to keep pace. When we have a lean, efficient, technology-based system in place, then more funds can push that efficient machine better than rewarding some of the inefficiencies that still remain. I'm not saying cut; do it through attrition and modest cost of living-based increases.
"A good example: Last year, the governor asked colleges to find ways to become more efficient. Virginia Tech did it and did it well and they're continuing to do it because they understand money isn't the only answer."
For the House of Delegates seat covering Blacksburg, part of Christiansburg, northern Montgomery County and eastern Giles County.
Del. Jim Shuler (D)
"For over a century, Virginians built an exceptional system of higher education. In one survey several years ago, Virginia ranked second in the nation (California was first) in our number of nationally ranked universities. With the addition of an accessible, affordable community college system, the quality was here.
"That quality is now at risk. From 1980 to 1993, university enrollments grew by some 27 percent; faculty and staff grew by about a third of that. In addition, universities were hit with multimillion dollar budget cuts, with the impacts of inflation (which the state too often forgets), with meddling by state administrations into course offerings, basic travel policies, replacement of personnel on wage positions, and with targeted cuts to programs like Cooperative Extension that would have been devastating.
"New jobs are created by dynamic, leading-edge university research. In addition, education is a fundamental investment in providing a special quality of life - apart from consideration of the jobs created.
"Higher education, especially, has been what America is 'best at' in the world - with Virginia among the best of the best. Now we are losing some of our best, most experienced talent to other states and to retirement incentive programs."
He suggests the state should should "quit micromanaging" universities, increase funding, "quit hammering" the Cooperative Extension Service, provide "competitive salaries for faculty and staff," develop a plan to match the the "relevant and important knowledge and research" at Tech with state Cabinet agencies on issues ranging from water and air quality to tourism policies, "clarify job and career retraining responsibilities" in both education and business to prepare people for job changes, and develop a system to use retired university faculty, many of whom "have abundant knowledge and experiences, resources that should not be lost."
Larry Linkous (R)
"During the last administration in Richmond [of Gov. Douglas Wilder], support for higher education plunged from 22nd in the country in the mid-1980s to 46th during Wilder's last year in office. We must invest in higher education. I believe we are headed in the right direction by agreeing to a cap on college tuition costs and increasing our investment in higher education. We must eliminate duplication and direct fewer resources toward nonacademic programs while increasing new academic programs. The 1995 budget proposals called for increasing spending on higher education by $76 million for the 1994-1996 biennium. We can fund this increase from revenue generated from new economic growth in the commonwealth. The current new growth figure coming from both the governor and lieutenant governor is about $700 million next year."
the House of Delegates seat covering Southeast Roanoke, Northeast Roanoke, part of Northwest Roanoke and the Peters Creek Road section of Roanoke County.
Del. Vic Thomas (D)
"Higher education suffered during the recession. It lost some $400 million in state support. Virginia ranks 42nd in state support per resident student and second in the nation in tuition. It is time to restore Virginia's colleges and universities to the high standard our students deserve. With the improving economy, we expect a budget surplus this year and improving revenues over the next two years. Much of these additional funds should go into education. Higher education needs to be accessible to everyone.
Higher education must also be held accountable. The General Assembly has required the public institutions of higher education to restructure so that they can operate as effectively and efficiently as possible and provide students with the type of education the modern world requires."
Jeff Artis (R)
"Higher education is an economic development issue. Because of the "Economic Darwinism" practiced in today's economy, our colleges and universities must have the proper funding in order to educate and train the future business and political leaders of our country. However, our colleges and universities have an obligation to the taxpayers of Virginia to be as cost efficient, and as cost effective as possible."
the House of Delegates seat covering most of Northwest Roanoke, South Roanoke, Southwest Roanoke and the Cave Spring-Hunting Hills section of Roanoke County.
Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum (D)
"We are very fortunate in the Commonwealth of Virginia that we have some of the finest institutions of higher education in the country. But we must continue to work at it. We should commit a significant portion of the budget surplus to both public and higher education in the coming biennium. In addition, we should focus on increasing the national competitiveness of Virginia's public institutions by giving consideration to student needs for knowledge and skills; retaining top faculty with state of the art technology and equipment; and streamlining, where appropriate, to contain costs. We need to mobilize the institutions of higher education to contribute systematically to the economic growth of the commonwealth. I support a plan that would designate a coordinator for economic development at each school to work in partnership with state and regional business."
Newell Falkinburg (R)
"Governor [Douglas] Wilder's cuts eviscerated higher education. They were indiscriminate and across the board. As a professor of medicine at the University of Virginia, these cuts were very measurably reflected in a salary reduction for me and my colleagues. The state universities were therefore placed at a disadvantage in attracting good faculty and maintaining adequate facilities. The universities responded to these indiscriminate budget cuts by raising tuition. Virginia state funding of higher education fell from 22nd to 46th in the nation while tuition costs skyrocketed to number two.
"The universities, for their part, must review and significantly reduce administrative costs that are not directly related to classroom, laboratory or student activities. This process began last year and much of the fat has been cut from higher education. We can now look at increased funding coupled with genuine reform and accountability. I agree with capping tuition to the rate of inflation."
Also on the Ballot
These candidates are running without opposition
For the House of Delegates seat covering Salem, most of Southwest Roanoke County, and eastern Montgomery County:
Del. Morgan Griffith (R)
For the House of Delegates seat covering Pulaski County, Radford and part of Giles County:
Del. Tommy Baker (R)
For the House of Delegates seat covering Bedford, most of Bedford County, most of Botetourt County, part of Rockbridge County and Buena Vista:
Del. Lacey Putney (I)
For the House of Delegates seat covering Wythe County, Bland County, Galax and most of Carroll County:
Thomas Jackson (D)
For the state Senate seat covering Bath County, Alleghany County, Covington, Clifton Forge, Botetourt County, western Roanoke County, Salem, Craig County, Giles County, part of Pulaski County and Radford:
State Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo (R)
For the state Senate seat covering Franklin County, Floyd County, Henry County, Martinsville, Patrick County and part of Carroll County:
State Sen. Virgil Goode (D)
Staff writers Dan Casey, Richard Foster, Todd Jackson, Brian Kelley, Kimberly N. Martin, Leslie Taylor and Dwayne Yancey contributed to this report.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB