February 28, 2003

The Disappearing State in Public Higher Education

When the recession ends, appropriations may not rebound.

By Jeffrey Selingo

These are turbulent fiscal times in the states. Just ask public-college presidents who are seeking to minimize vast spending cuts by cash-strapped legislators this winter. The news is not good. Two-thirds of the states face budget gaps that they must close by the end of June. Combined, the shortfalls total some $26-billion.

Slashing support for public colleges, of course, is part of the ebb and flow of economic cycles. In bad times, state lawmakers use public higher education to