Office of University Communications 

Governor Blunt Outlines Higher Education Initiatives; Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel Comments

In his State of the State address Wednesday, Governor Matt Blunt unveiled his priorities for public higher education.  It was a comprehensive plan that will be expressed in an omnibus bill containing the following key components:

• Authorization for the Lewis and Clark initiative;
• Limits on future tuition increases set at an inflationary index;
• A requirement that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) establish statewide and institutional accountability standards by June of 2008;
• An increase in CBHE authority to arbitrate and manage institutional adherence to rules and regulations; and
• Authorization for a consolidated need-based scholarship.

The Governor recommended a budget that contains a total increase for institutions of 4.5 percent ($39.5 million) and $25 million in the Fiscal Year 2007 supplemental for scholarships and an additional $20 million for scholarships in the Fiscal Year 2008 budget. 

Institutions would receive an increase to their operating base of 4.2 percent; for Missouri State, this would amount to approximately $3.4 million.  Above this amount, an additional $500,000 was recommended to supplement the West Plains budget, and $500,000 in one time funds and $500,000 in recurring funds were recommend to support the cooperative engineering program between Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Rolla.  (The budget proposal includes a matching amount – $500,000 in one-time funding and $500,000 in on-going funding – for the University of Missouri-Rolla.)

Missouri State University President Michael T. Nietzel made the following comments about the Governor's proposed package: 

“We very much appreciate Governor Blunt moving higher education to the top of this year's legislative agenda.  There is no doubt that Missouri's future depends in large part on the vitality of its system of higher education.  So, we welcome the opportunity to talk about the good work that Missouri's colleges and universities do for the state's citizens, its economy and its future.

“The Governor's recommended 4.5 percent increase for higher education is welcome and significant, especially since it is the largest increase in several years.  For Missouri State, the funding recommended for the cooperative engineering program with the University of Missouri-Rolla is terrific news for the economic development of the region and encourages universities to collaborate to serve the state.  The additional funding for our West Plains Campus was much-needed and will keep that campus effectively serving seven of the poorest counties in the state. 

“Obviously, we continue to be very enthusiastic about the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative and the increased financial aid for students.  Both areas of support are essential.  Excellent facilities are crucial for Missouri to be competitive in the 21^st century.  And having gone without capital funding for nearly seven years, the projects included in this package are long-overdue.  Access and affordability must remain a priority, so increasing the need-based financial aid is good news for all Missourians.  It is particularly helpful for Missouri State as we begin our Missouri State Promise scholarships.  We also applaud the consolidation and simplification of the state's financial aid programs.

“Missouri universities have worked very hard to constrain the cost of education for several years now, even as the overall budget situation caused a reduction in state support.  Many of us have reallocated funds, developed new programs, and sought private support to make the cost of education more predictable and affordable for our students.  We welcome the opportunity to partner with the Governor and the members of the Missouri General Assembly to find additional ways to accomplish this important goal at the same time we maintain the quality of education.”