Reeling it in

Bollinger's budget shows promise for students

All in all, the July meeting of the University Board of Regents produced positive results for students and faculty alike. The regents approved a budget containing the lowest tuition increase in more than 10 years. Perhaps of more interest to future classes, the regents approved measures conducive to building and retaining excellence among the University's academic units.

Details of the budget reveal an administration living up to promises made by University President Lee Bollinger early this year. When Bollinger arrived, he promised to hold tuition increases near the rate of inflation, implying that administrative costs would be reined in. It seems that he accomplished that in his first budget as president.

Overall, the University's general fund increased by nearly 4 percent, up $31.5 million to $828 million. In spite of this, administrative spending remains basically unchanged, only increasing by 0.62 percent. Administrators and workers in administrators' offices will still receive a standard 3.5-percent raise - the money is slated to come from a self-loan. The University will withdraw the outlay from its reserve fund, to be paid back within a year. Even while controlling spending, the plan avoids punishing administrative employees by delivering them their customary raises.

To returning students, the budget's centerpiece is certainly the low, across-the-board 2.9-percent increase in undergraduate tuition rates. Such a small increase will make students' fight to keep their bank accounts in the black more feasible. In-state Engineering graduate students might find their 0.3-percent increase a pleasant surprise.

However, the good news for students does not end there. While the administration makes do with the same money as last year, academic units will enjoy a 4.5-percent raise - faculty members stand to receive 3-4 percent in salary boosts. While not substantially greater than last year, the circumstances surrounding the raises are different than before. Last year, the administration only budgeted enough for one-third of the pay increase, leaving the academic units to fulfill the remainder from their own purses. This year, standard cost-of-living faculty raises are included in the administration's calculations. Overall, the University will benefit as the remaining money becomes available to fund programs that may have been slighted in the past, and to recruit and retain top-notch instructors and researchers. In addition, the budget sets aside $4 million to allow Bollinger to sponsor specific academic programs, aiding the University's academic mission.

As always, the silver lining does come with a cloud. Last year, the University delivered an enormous 6.9-percent increase to student financial aid. A repeat performance would have been welcomed, but instead there will be only a 3.16-percent increase. A significant number of students depend on financial aid to allow them to attend the University. Administrators should ensure that no qualified students are forced to drop out due a lack of available funds.

The University has delivered an important gift to students in the form of a low tuition increase. By holding the increase near inflation levels, it has taken a step toward keeping college accessible for future and current students. And by delivering money to allow academic units to develop programs and professors, the University has moved toward ensuring continued academic excellence.

09-03-97