Higher education asks for tax increase to ease funding woes

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah's colleges and universities are coming together to sent a strong message to the Legislature. They're urging lawmakers to raise taxes, if necessary, in order to avoid devastating cuts across the state.

Here's the stark reality: The Utah Legislature cut higher education by 17 percent earlier this year, at the same time enrollment went up by more than 24,000 students statewide. The situation is serious enough that the State Board of Regents is asking lawmakers to consider raising taxes.

Affordable, accessible, quality education is Salt Lake Community College's mission. SLCC's president says that mission is now in danger of changing for the worse.

"It is dramatic, and we are at the breaking point," says President Cynthia Bioteau.

From Dixie State to Utah State University, Utah's colleges and universities are all facing the same thing. It's a critical tipping point in the face of cuts that are, for now, held off by stimulus money but set to take full effect next June.

Even now, though, students are noticing it's hard to get the classes they need to graduate on time.

"Why are we even approaching higher ed as a solution to budget cuts? Is that really the place to cut money? And it is not," says University of Utah student Taylor Clough.

Another tuition increase would be devastating to students.

"Can we please -- and I know it's very controversial -- but can we please look at some sort of tax increase in revenues?" Bioteau asks.

University and college presidents say they've already cut where they can, but they'll trim more if possible. Most, however, are to the point where the only way to make up for the lost ground is to get more money.

E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com

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