A $30 million plan that leverages state funds with private support and tuition would boost access to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, expand instructional technology and help retain faculty, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ told the regents Oct. 27.
Under the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ budget plan, a maximum of $18 million would come from state resources. The plan was forwarded to the Governor and the Legislature, which meets in January.
"Our supplemental budget proposal is intended to address specific, identified needs that have very high priority," President Richard L. McCormick said.
"We have tried to be creative in proposing what amounts to a funding partnership," he added. "The University recognizes the state's budgetary constraints and we are proposing that if the state will fund part of these needs from the general fund, other funding mechanisms can be found to come up with the rest." The challenges include:
* Access: Enrollment would increase in Seattle by creating 700 more full-time spaces, plus adding 60 more students at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-Tacoma and 20 more at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-Bothell. Distance learning classes would also grow. Cost: $12 million.
* Instructional Technology: Student access to the Internet, e-mail and computer laboratories would be broadened. Cost: $6 million.
* Retention: The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ would create a $2 million faculty retention pool. In addition, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ would establish a $5 million fund for endowed professorships, fellowships and scholarships.
* Economic Development: The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and the state would form a partnership to encourage the growth of high technology industry. The first phase would create a series of University-industry faculty positions. Cost: $5 million.
To balance state funding, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ officials suggest raising non-resident tuition to the average of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's peer institutions. Currently non-resident Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ undergraduates pay $8,523 while the peer average is $10,296. Other revenue sources include tuition generated by increased enrollment, private and external contributions, and internal savings.
For more information, call the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵAA Legislative Support Network at (206) 543-0540 or 1-800-AÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ-ALUM.
Send a letter to the editor at griffin@u.washington.edu.
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