Floyd stresses funding cuts

By Jedd Rosche

Published Sept. 29, 2006

In response to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Education, UM system President Elson Floyd took action to remind his constituents about the system's recent efforts to streamline costs.

In a news release issued on Tuesday, Floyd reiterated that, after a year's worth of effort, the UM system trimmed $20 million in administrative costs from its 2007 fiscal year budget.

"These changes will allow us to limit tuition increases while achieving key academic and strategic objectives," Floyd said.

Floyd reaffirmed his dedication to affordability for all students, a key point that Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings contested about the system of higher education in the nation as a whole.

"Demonstrating a commitment to providing access to a quality education by controlling costs and tuition is essential for public higher education," Floyd said.

On Wednesday, Spellings released her "action plan" for higher education at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

"States, local leaders, the business community and many in higher education are already hard at work tackling challenges from affordability to measuring student learning," Spellings said in her speech. "They need and deserve our help and support."

Spelling broke her plan into three aspects in which higher education needs help.

"To expand access to higher education we must better prepare our students," Spellings said. "Starting with high standards and accountability in our public schools."

Spellings said using some parts of President Bush's education plan, No Child Left Behind, which is used in elementary and secondary education, is a way to make higher education institutions more accountable for poor performance.

"And let me assure you — NCLB is going strong," Spellings said in the speech.

Secretary of Education spokeswoman Samara Yudof said Spellings' speech was applicable to both public and private institutions and that Spellings has spoken with legislators about funding for higher education.

Yudof said she could not comment about the role of responsibility for legislators but maintained holding universities accountable.

"She wants to make sure these students are learning," Yudof said.

UM system spokesman Scott Charton said the university has yet to take a stance on Spellings' release.

"We're still reviewing her report," Charton said. "We want the public to know while we are reviewing this work that the university is working hard to be responsible with the resources entrusted to us."

Charton said the immediate release of Floyd's comment was to let taxpayers know that the UM system was using funds appropriately.

"We wanted to promptly reply to the secretary's points about efficiency and accountability," Charton said. "Because it's important to take advantage of every opportunity to let Missouri taxpayers know that the University of Missouri has taken, and continues to take, significant steps to achieve greater efficiencies."

Charton said the UM system administrators agreed.

"It is critically important that the university provides responsible stewardship of their resources to the best of its ability," Charton said.

Charton did not specify if the release was a call for increased appropriations from legislators.

"President Floyd has frequently expressed appreciation for the funding, just as he has renewed his call for future reinvestment in public higher education," Charton said.

On Wednesday, Floyd met with Missouri Southern State University President Julio Leon in Joplin as part of his Missouri Public Higher Education Unity Tour.