THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 14, 1995 TAG: 9502140493
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
The purpose of state-supported higher education is to offer an affordable education that provides quality instruction to resident students of that state. Higher education in Virginia is failing to accomplish this.
During the Wilder administration, higher education suffered a 20 percent reduction in funding due to the recession and subsequent revenue shortfalls. And now that the recession is over and the unemployment rate is relatively low, the Allen administration sees fit to reduce funding to higher education even further.
Budget cuts have multiple effects on higher education. One result, stemming from the budget reductions of Governor Wilder, is rising tuition cost. Neighboring states provide in-state tuition rates significantly lower at comparable institutions.
With the tuition-increase caps mandated by the General Assembly, institutions in Virginia are forced to cut services as their budgets are reduced. The bottom line is that students are paying more for an education of lesser quality.
Governor Wilder's budget cuts were justified. However, the budgets of state-supported colleges and universities should be restored - not slashed. What happens in five to 10 years when there is another recession? Will schools in the commonwealth suffer more budget cuts?
Governor Allen's cuts are reckless, inconsiderate and lacking in forethought as well as a sense of recent economic history.
JUSTIN HARRISON
Virginia Beach, Jan. 30, 1995 by CNB