SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Today Chair Jed H. Pitcher and Vice Chair Bonnie Jean Beesley, of the Utah State Board of Regents, released the following statement regarding the proposed state budget for Utah’s public colleges and universities:
"A week ago today, Governor Herbert released his budget proposal for Fiscal 2010-11, and also signed an Executive Order implementing some additional one-time cuts for the current fiscal year (2009-2010). Immediately it was clear to us that the Governor is very interested in protecting higher educational opportunities for Utahns and that this is a key component of his economic development strategy. Clearly, Governor Herbert recognizes the importance of higher education to thousands of Utahns today and to Utah’s future economic success. In crafting his budget proposal, he not only made sure its numbers balanced, but also took into consideration and carefully balanced the critical needs of the people of Utah.
"During the past week Commissioner Sederburg has had an opportunity to dialogue with the nine presidents to assess the impact of this year’s one-time cut, which amounts to nearly $19 million. The Regents’ Executive Committee met this morning and received a full briefing on the information. Needless to say, even a one-time cut is difficult on top of the other cuts already imposed and in the face of record enrollment growth and we are concerned that quality is beginning to be negatively affected.
"It is vital that the Governor’s plan of not just cutting further but also replacing this year’s $19 million additional cut next year and preserving our current budget and preventing further cuts is followed. If it is, this will step higher education back from the “tipping-point” we described in our policy statement of November 13.
"We recognize that the Legislature is just beginning their budget deliberations, and look forward to the opportunity to dialogue with them about the importance of supporting the Governor’s approach."
