Atlanta Forward/Another View: Creating a more educated Georgia

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Atlanta Forward/Another View: Creating a more educated Georgia
August 29, 2011
By Benjamin J. Tarbutton
AJC

With less money and rising costs, how can you do more? That’s the challenge of Georgia families, our state government and the Board of Regents. In the past three years, enrollment in Georgia’s 35 public colleges and universities has surged 13 percent as state funding has dropped 24 percent.

With a projected 320,000 students this fall, we have the lowest level of state support per student since 1994 to achieve our mission: “Creating a More Educated Georgia.”

To compound matters, the state had no choice but to modify its HOPE Scholarship program. The Board’s challenge is to work within the funds appropriated. We’re not profit-driven. Our aim is to change lives.

Tuition does not pay the full cost of college. Since the early 1980s, the General Assembly has funded up to 75 percent of the cost of higher education and we appreciate their critical support and that of the governor. Traditionally, students have paid about 25 percent. With state reductions, students are now picking up 45 percent through tuition and fees.

Starting in July, the university system will have a $346 million shortfall. We have three objectives:

● Maintain academic quality
● Be accessible and affordable
● Stay close to the 90 percent HOPE reimbursement rate

How can we accomplish this?

To maintain our high academic quality, we have been forced to make changes. Families must balance their budgets. State government and the University System are expected to do the same. To offset the shortfall, a 35 percent tuition increase would have been necessary. Instead, institutions have cut expenses and we have asked students to participate with a nine percent increase.

What do our students get for the additional investment? Excellence and best value. Georgia is one of four states ranked by U.S. News & World Report to have two or more institutions in America’s Top 20 public universities. Georgia Tech tied for seventh and The University of Georgia tied at 17th. The Princeton Review ranks UGA fifth as the nation’s best value in higher public education.

Value is the key word. When you compare our public four-year colleges and universities to our neighbors, Georgia families are spending substantially less. One year’s tuition and fees, on average, costs a Georgian $5,916. In South Carolina, that tab is $10,155. Compare this to the average $5,000 to $7,000 a family will spend on day care.

It won’t be easy or painless. Everyone — students, parents, the General Assembly and USG — must work together if we are to create “A More Educated Georgia.” Public higher education is an investment in everyone’s future, and we want to keep that future open for all.

Benjamin J. Tarbutton III is chair of the finance and business operations committee of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.