Higher Education Spending And Nevada’s Greater Prosperity
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
After reflecting on yesterday’s presentation by Chancellor Dan Klaich before the Legislative Commission Budget Subcommittee there are some foundational considerations that need to be included in the mix for future conversations and public policy deliberations.
At the on-set of this post, I believe it necessary to make it as clear as possible that I and the organization I represent believe higher education, especially college programs related to agriculture are extremely important. Likewise we have strong ties and support for agricultural research efforts and outreach through the state University’s Cooperative Extension program. Our relationship to these important programs and educational services does not come in the form of exclusive backing for their interests without consideration given to the system of Higher Education and the other interests or other constituents who benefit from the education and research activities of the various institutions that make up the Nevada System of Higher Education.
In analysis of the budget proposals for the specific areas of Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension, there is solid reason for concern with both areas taking every bit as big of hit as the Universities and the overall system. In both of these cases there is not a possibility for tuition increases and loss of general fund dollars could be multiplied in consequences because of the reductions of funding support from other parts of the funding stream, including local support for Cooperative Extension.
There is ample cause for a complete evaluation and public discussion for the allocation of public funds for Nevada’s higher education system. To the extent that funding can be revamped or increased from the Governor’s proposal, in proportion to the other obligations, those considerations should be presented and discussed in legislative and other public venues.
If the argument for justifying increased funding is based on the nexus of higher education equaling greater economic diversification (as was a strong theme in yesterday’s presentation and has been a long-playing point of contention) – we probably need more detail and a fuller degree of thought. To some making this point, the theory suggest that business enterprises are avoiding relocation to Nevada because of the lack of state financial support given to Nevada Higher Education. While there may be some business owners or industry leaders who place some stock into the quality or availability of interaction with a community’s/state’s educational infrastructure – it would seem likely that more evaluation points are on the list than comparison for how much money a state spends on higher education.
Historical experience also clouds the correlation of higher spending levels and economic diversification. As we continue to hear the refrain from University and Higher Education System proponents of the recent to mid-term time-frame there have already been significant percentage cuts. (It seems interesting how public the numbers are for when the results are cuts – and how silent it was when the percentages were increases…but that is a point of contention for another time and place.)
To have sustained those kinds of cuts in the amount and the frequency – one would have to believe that there was a point in time where they had quite a bit of money…or at least a lot more than they are expected to receive if the Governor’s budget proposal is adopted. So, if the logic translates to there being a point in time where the financial resources were greater than is currently the case – why didn’t we have the economic diversification then that we’re being promised for greater funding now?
If those higher levels of funding didn’t yield results of improved economic diversification, why should there be an expectation that this would change now?
Perhaps a better question would be, “How do we structure the funding system for Higher Education in order to make certain that we do get greater economic diversification and prosperity from the investments made?”
Ideally, these questions and a full-range of other elements will be entered into the deliberations during the 2011 Nevada Legislature.
After reflecting on yesterday’s presentation by Chancellor Dan Klaich before the Legislative Commission Budget Subcommittee there are some foundational considerations that need to be included in the mix for future conversations and public policy deliberations.
At the on-set of this post, I believe it necessary to make it as clear as possible that I and the organization I represent believe higher education, especially college programs related to agriculture are extremely important. Likewise we have strong ties and support for agricultural research efforts and outreach through the state University’s Cooperative Extension program. Our relationship to these important programs and educational services does not come in the form of exclusive backing for their interests without consideration given to the system of Higher Education and the other interests or other constituents who benefit from the education and research activities of the various institutions that make up the Nevada System of Higher Education.
In analysis of the budget proposals for the specific areas of Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension, there is solid reason for concern with both areas taking every bit as big of hit as the Universities and the overall system. In both of these cases there is not a possibility for tuition increases and loss of general fund dollars could be multiplied in consequences because of the reductions of funding support from other parts of the funding stream, including local support for Cooperative Extension.
There is ample cause for a complete evaluation and public discussion for the allocation of public funds for Nevada’s higher education system. To the extent that funding can be revamped or increased from the Governor’s proposal, in proportion to the other obligations, those considerations should be presented and discussed in legislative and other public venues.
If the argument for justifying increased funding is based on the nexus of higher education equaling greater economic diversification (as was a strong theme in yesterday’s presentation and has been a long-playing point of contention) – we probably need more detail and a fuller degree of thought. To some making this point, the theory suggest that business enterprises are avoiding relocation to Nevada because of the lack of state financial support given to Nevada Higher Education. While there may be some business owners or industry leaders who place some stock into the quality or availability of interaction with a community’s/state’s educational infrastructure – it would seem likely that more evaluation points are on the list than comparison for how much money a state spends on higher education.
Historical experience also clouds the correlation of higher spending levels and economic diversification. As we continue to hear the refrain from University and Higher Education System proponents of the recent to mid-term time-frame there have already been significant percentage cuts. (It seems interesting how public the numbers are for when the results are cuts – and how silent it was when the percentages were increases…but that is a point of contention for another time and place.)
To have sustained those kinds of cuts in the amount and the frequency – one would have to believe that there was a point in time where they had quite a bit of money…or at least a lot more than they are expected to receive if the Governor’s budget proposal is adopted. So, if the logic translates to there being a point in time where the financial resources were greater than is currently the case – why didn’t we have the economic diversification then that we’re being promised for greater funding now?
If those higher levels of funding didn’t yield results of improved economic diversification, why should there be an expectation that this would change now?
Perhaps a better question would be, “How do we structure the funding system for Higher Education in order to make certain that we do get greater economic diversification and prosperity from the investments made?”
Ideally, these questions and a full-range of other elements will be entered into the deliberations during the 2011 Nevada Legislature.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 1/28/2011 8:51 AM 
Categories: 2011 Nevada Legislature
Tags: Nevada Higher Education Nevada Nevada Budget Taxing and Spending Governor Sandoval Nevada Legislature
Categories: 2011 Nevada Legislature
Tags: Nevada Higher Education Nevada Nevada Budget Taxing and Spending Governor Sandoval Nevada Legislature
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