Texas schools might be the next victims of the bad economy.
Since last year, UH’s endowment has fallen 31 percent and the University of Texas’ was decreased by 27 percent. UH has not cut scholarship funding, however, which is a good sign.
Unlike private universities, which receive large sums of money from alumni, public universities such as UH rely mostly on funds from the state. According to the Texas Budget Source, the 2009 state budget has decreased more than $3 billion – the first decrease since before 1990.
Although Gov. Rick Perry awarded a generous $5.5 million grant to UH through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, money is still tight.
Perry suggested public colleges freeze tuition costs for incoming freshman – a motion that received mixed responses from students. Some feel the freeze would secure higher education while other current students don’t want to foot the bill.
Endowments, tuition and salary are all volatile. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment is on the rise, at 7.2 percent. Fortunately, compared to many other cities, Houston is holding steady at 5.5 percent unemployment.
Last year, the average cost of tuition at four-year public universities rose 6.3 percent according to The College Board. Also, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas’ unemployment rate rose 1.8 percent.
Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance is opposed to the proposal of freezing tuition. Although he supports efforts to keep tuition rates within the reach of all Texas families, he has had experience with tuition freezes at a growing university and was disappointed with the results.
‘We know (it would be difficult) because we did it last year and had to cut costs, eliminate some faculty and staff positions and spend some of our reserves to produce a balanced budget,’ Hance said.
UH has adopted the equivalent of a ‘wait and see’ attitude as tendered by UH Assistant Director of Communications Richard Bonnin in an e-mail response to Perry’s mandate.
UH is trying to stay afloat but is also managing growth. With the state of the economy the way it is, renovating the University Center is still a source of Cougar pride.
‘If the increase in tuition is going to be used for improvements supported by the student body, I think a raise in tuition is a reasonable thing,’ biochemistry sophomore Thomas Higgins said.
The proposed renovation plan would increase the UC student fee to $60 from $35 per semester by fall 2010 and, although a relatively small amount of money per student, any unnecessary increases seem uncalled for right now.
Some Cougars have voiced concern about UH President Renu Khator’s large paycheck and fringe benefits. In fact, Khator can’t take a salary cut unless the Board of Trustees agrees she should.
A voluntary pay cut is a political move and does not add much to the bottom line of the University. Many public officials would ask for pay cuts in a heartbeat, but since this is Houston, I doubt the members of the Board of Trustees would want that notice in The Houston Chronicle.
Many in town, my parents included, would be asking if they, too, are taking a pay cut. How then would they pay for my college education?
No need to scare citizens any more than they already are.
Matthew Keever is a communication junior and may be reached at [email protected]
