Higher Education

Jay Dedrick
CU Connections
(News and information for faculty and staff)

State funding woes remained at the center of discussion among higher education constituents during the current session of the Colorado General Assembly – and during a gathering of speakers and panelists last week steps away from the Capitol.

The Colorado General Assembly will take up the state's budget this week. The so-called Long Bill (HB 1335) started in the House on Monday and is expected to move to the Senate by the end of the week.

Senate Bill 12-045

Testimony to the House Education Committee

Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst

March 19, 2012

My name is Frank Waterous, and I am a senior policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center.  The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization founded on progressive values and dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

The legislature's Joint Budget Committee (JBC) on Monday approved its proposed budget for higher education for the coming fiscal year. The JBC recommends cutting total General Fund appropriations for higher education by $29 million over the current level. This represents a 4.6 percent cut and is $142 million below the appropriation for FY 2007-08 ­– the year before the Great Recession hit Colorado. To make up for the cut in state support, students and their families will have to pay more in tuition and fees.

Higher Ed Associate Degree Transfer Students

Senate Bill 12-45

Testimony to the Senate Education Committee

Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst

February 9, 2012

My name is Frank Waterous, and I am a senior policy analyst with The Bell Policy Center.  The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

In order to meet the challenges of the 21st century, American higher education must redesign itself through a fundamental transformation in policy, practice and financing. But in doing so, it can neither expect nor rely upon a restoration of past approaches or public support. That was the central message delivered by Patrick M. Callan, president of the Higher Education Policy Institute and the featured speaker at the Bell Policy Center's "Voices of Opportunity" program on Dec. 7.

Click here for pdf version

Will General Fund stay in the higher education business?

Senate Bill 11-052
Testimony to the House Education Committee
Frank Waterous, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst
May 4, 2011

My name is Frank Waterous, and I am a senior policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

Concerning expectations for higher education institutions in Colorado

Senate Bill 11-052
Testimony to the Senate Education Committee
Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst
March 17, 2011

My name is Frank Waterous, and I am a senior policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

By Kirk Seigler
KUNC

Audio of this story

Colorado ranks near the bottom nationally for higher education funding. And colleges and universities are bracing for yet another round of deep budget cuts. It's thought that most could see anywhere from a 15-20% cut later this spring, as federal stimulus money that had staved off layoffs and further tuition increases runs out.