Proposed budget cuts would lower quality of higher education

In an on-going series of posts this week we discuss what proposed cuts to our higher education system will do to our state’s future. Policymakers should strive to sustain a higher education system that is accessible, affordable, and high quality.

High-quality institutions that employ top-notch faculty, have small class sizes that provide an optimal learning environment, and offer students advising, tutoring, and other support services are crucial to ensuring students’ success.

Yet, the quality of our colleges and universities has suffered under the $770 million in cuts to the higher education system in the current biennium, and would be further weakened under 2011-13 proposals. 

Under the Governor, House and Senate proposals for the 2011-13 biennium, four-year institutions would experience at least a 20 percent reduction, and community and technical colleges would be reduced by 10 percent or more (see figure 6).  

Current biennium cuts already put into effect:

• At Washington State University, 1,080 courses were removed, 16 degrees or program options were phased out, three academic areas were eliminated, and 517 jobs were eliminated as a result of budget cuts.
• The University of Washington froze enrollment for resident undergraduates, eliminated 950 jobs, reduced hundreds of hours of student counseling services, and eliminated 12 degree programs.
• At our community and technical colleges, staffing hours and services have been reduced, class sizes have increased, and several programs and courses have been eliminated.

Results of additional cuts under the 2011-13 budget proposals:

• Washington State University maintains that they will need to reduce levels of library services, academic advising and student services and eliminate some academic and student support services.
• At the University of Washington, it is expected that the student/adviser ratio will be increased to 970 students per adviser, with possible effects on students’ academic plans and ability to graduate on time.
• Eastern Washington University, which serves a large number of first generation, low-income, and underrepresented populations of students, cites that students will have decreased access to services that improve learning, such as academic advising, tutoring, and other support services.

For more information read our new policy brief, “Undermining Prosperity: Higher Education Cuts Weaken Access, Affordability, and Quality.”