---------- DOCUMENT HEADER ----------
---------- DOCUMENT HEADER ----------
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Forty-eighth Legislature – Second Regular Session
HOUSE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON EQUITY IN UNIVERSITY FUNDING
Minutes of Meeting
House Hearing Room 3 -- 11:00 a.m.
Chairman Nichols called the meeting to order at 11:18 a.m. and attendance was noted by the secretary.
Representative Lopes Representative Robson
Representative Nichols, Chairman
Introductions
Chairman Nichols stated the purpose of the Committee:
Presentation by JLBC on University Funding
Leah Kritzer, Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), reviewed handouts:
Mr. Robson requested exclusion of the College of Agriculture, along with the Health Sciences Center, for the University of Arizona (UA) (Page 2, Attachment 2). Mr. Lopes requested the exclusion of any other programs relating to land grant institution responsibilities.
Greg Fahey, University of Arizona, introduced Jim Florian to address the difference of about $9.2 million in Collections/Other Receipts for UA Main (Page 5, Attachment 1).
Jim Florian, Chief Budget Officer, University of Arizona, advised that the FY 2009 budget request was done in 2007. He believes additional collections were received throughout the year, but he will find out the exact figures.
Chairman Nichols stated there is no intention to pit the universities against each other. He wants to make sure Arizona students remain in Arizona and attend quality universities. In trying to find equity in FTE funding, the intent is not to take from one university or give to another, but to bring all of the universities to the same level, so the Committee needs to find a baseline number. He is asked by constituents why a student is worth more attending one university than another.
Mr. Robson pointed out that the $12,097 figure for UA (Page 1, Attachment 2) should not be locked in place because there is no intention to be detrimental to the university receiving the most money.
Mr. Lopes remarked that he is never asked why a student is worth more going to one university than another. He is always asked why it costs so much. Mr. Nichols responded that he gets that question also. The budget situation will make it tougher to find and implement a baseline number, but by starting discussions now, perhaps the goal can be reached in two to five years.
Sandra Woodley, Chief Financial Officer, ABOR, related that ABOR is conducting a study to determine what is an adequate level of funding for each university given their cost structure and mission for the longer term out to 2020, looking at best practices, in order to develop a methodology that can be agreed to among the institutions. The portion of the study regarding funding adequacy should be completed in the fall, from which it will be possible to determine a FTE number. Discussion followed.
Set Up for Follow-Up Meetings
Chairman Nichols said a follow-up meeting is needed.
Christy Farley, Northern Arizona University, conveyed that the NAU distance learning system is available and would save travel time.
Chairman Nichols stated that perhaps the next meeting could be held at UA and then NAU. The different options will be looked into, and everyone will be contacted about the next meeting.
Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.
_______________________________
Linda Taylor, Committee Secretary
September 30, 2008
(Original minutes, attachments and audio on file in the Chief Clerk’s Office: video archives available at http://www.azleg.gov).
---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------
HOUSE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON
EQUITY IN UNIVERSITY FUNDING
2
September 30, 2008
---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------