2008.10.15
Advocating for higher education
Radford University professor and Faculty Senate of Virginia President Jim Lollar pitched his idea for a new advocacy group for higher education in Virginia Tuesday night -- the Virginia Higher Education Association.
The creation of the group, which would serve as a legislative and public relations tool linking together faculty, students, parents and others interested in supporting higher education in Virginia, is certainly timely. Lollar's presentation to Tech's faculty senate Tuesday was preceded by a discussion between faculty and Tech Provost Mark McNamee about the recent state budget cuts that slashed state support to public universities and other state agencies.
McNamee said he was hopeful that an anticipated second round of cuts this winter for the 2009-10 fiscal year would only match the 5 percent cuts Tech is dealing with this year. Because the initial cuts are expected to carry over, that's a cumulative impact of 10 percent. And while he feels that the university can cope with this round, it's that cumulative deterioration of funding that worries him.
"The challenge is planning for next July," he said.
Lollar said the history of declining state support for higher education is not a trend that will inevitably continue. But it will if supporters of higher education don't do a better job of telling the public and state legislators about the importance and impact of the state's colleges and universities.
