Higher education: Budget should not be balanced on the backs of state's college and university students
STATE lawmakers heading into special session in late November should not aim their budget knives anywhere near higher education.
Our universities and community colleges have endured historic disinvestment by the state Legislature. Since 2008, state support for community and technical colleges has been reduced by 22 percent and state funding for universities shrunk by nearly 50 percent.
Higher tuition offset some cuts. That is balancing the budget on the backs of students. Moreover, despite rising tuition, state-funded aid was cut and fewer students who qualify received State Need Grants.