Presidents Propose Economical Strategies To Meet State Higher Education Demand

March 14, 2005

Contact: Mark Anderson (509-963-1493, fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: andemark@cwu.edu)

YAKIMA, Wash. - Presidents of four higher education institutions in Central Washington today said that the Legislature can afford to meet huge public demand for higher education if it uses the campuses taxpayers have already paid for and takes advantage of University Centers, the most efficient path to baccalaureate degrees. The state will need to enroll a total of 30,000 more students in colleges and universities by 2012 simply to accommodate Washington's growing population.

The presidents of Big Bend Community College (Moses Lake), Central Washington University, Wenatchee Valley College, and Yakima Valley Community College called upon legislators to make funding college and university enrollment a priority as lawmakers craft a budget for 2005 - 2007. Over the last decade, the Legislature has reduced its investment in higher education by about 20 percent. Higher education is one of the few areas of state government where spending is not required by law.

"Students are paying the price for declining state support," noted YVCC President Linda Kaminski. "Their tuition and fees cover about 15 percent more of the cost of instruction than ten years ago."

Compounding the budget crunch for colleges and universities, the state doesn't pay for any enrollment beyond its budget estimates. The Legislature decides in the spring how many students it will pay for, regardless of how many students actually show up the following fall. In an attempt to meet enormous public demand for education, CWU is serving about 800 students more than the Legislature has funded; state community and technical colleges across the state are serving thousands more than are funded. The presidents urged the Legislature to make it a priority to provide funding for students currently enrolled and to set aside funds for expected enrollments.

The four presidents recognized that budget writers will be trying to bridge a gap of about $2 billion between what the state needs and the funds available to pay for services. CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre said that in a budget environment that demands economy, the Legislature should use the most efficient means available to provide educational opportunity, including fully utilizing existing campus space before investing millions in new universities or expansion of branch campuses.

"The state doesn't need bigger branch campuses or a new university," said McIntyre. "We can accommodate Washington's record-high demand for higher education, but only if the Legislature provides the operating funds needed to use the space tax dollars have already built."

One of the state's most critical needs is access to programs leading to a bachelor's degree, according to Big Bend Community College President Bill Bonaudi, who noted that Washington ranks 48th in the nation for access to baccalaureate degree programs.

"Lawmakers can stretch budget dollars by increasing their investment in 'two-plus-two' partnerships at University Centers," said Bonaudi. "Students' complete the first two years of a degree program at the community college, and then finish the degree at a CWU University Center - which is located right on the community college campus."

Wenatchee Valley College Interim President David Beyer noted that the two-plus-two approach makes earning a college degree more affordable for students as well as for the state. "Rising tuition and living costs at four-year institutions make attending a community and technical college for the first two years of college an increasingly attractive option," said Beyer. "More than 40 percent of the baccalaureate degree earners in Washington begin at a two-year college."

The University Center model also enhances students' academic efficiency by enabling dual enrollment. Students can take classes at both the community college and baccalaureate institution during the same quarters. According to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the state saves money when it invests in University Centers. The following compares the state investment per full-time student required for each of five education alternatives for the most recent budget period:

Source: State Board for Community Technical Colleges