OCR Text |
Show HIGHER EDUCATION ON THE BLOCK When Dr. Durham, head of the State Board of Higher Education, presented the budget for Utah's university system to the Legislature, everyone knew that the University of Utah was to be the target of financial sanction. Putting aside an earlier decision to consider the University's budget last rather than first, as is usual, the subcommittee in charge of educational appropriation skipped over part of it's agenda to deal with the University budget. In spite of Governor Rampton's rec- ommendations, and in the face of a very carefully researched and conservative budget, the state solons accused Dr. Durham and the University of overspending, mismanagement of funds and ivory tower ignorance; and then cut the proposed budget from $53.6 million to $49 million, one million dollars less than the Governor's recommended minimum appropriation. Testimony before the subcommittee included two university students who stated that the University was wasteful and inefficient, and cited failure to turn off electric lights on campus as evidence. Money has to come from somewhere. The regrettable fact is that it now must come from the student's pocket, in the form of yet another tuition raise, making Utah's already record-making-high tuition even higher. In 1971-72, out-of-state fees will go over the $400 mark; resident expenses will exceed $200 per quarter. The average student will be even more hard pressed to continue his education, but he will also have the power to vote. G. HOMER DURHAM, CHAIRMAN STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION 95 |