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The leaders of Arizona's public universities offered collaborative solutions to Arizona's budget crisis while students showed up in droves to voice their opposition to proposed cuts to university budgets.

By Johnny Cruz, University Communications
January 28, 2009

Outside the Arizona State Capitol today, the leaders of Arizona's public universities are offered collaborative solutions to Arizona's budget crisis while students showed up in droves to voice their opposition to cuts to university budgets proposed by legislative leaders.

Arizona Board of Regents President Fred Boice, University of Arizona President Robert N. Shelton, Arizona State University President Michael Crow and Northern Arizona University President John Haeger shared details of their proposal to cut $100 million from universities' budgets to address the state's budget deficit in 2009, and actions the universities will have to take in order to absorb such a cut.

Boice announced the establishment of the Fiscal Alternative Choices Team, or FACT, which is a panel of university experts who will contribute their time and talent to assist elected officials in addressing the state's budget shortfall – which is estimated at $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2009 and $3 billion the following year.

UA law professor John Swain, a national expert on tax law, will lead the UA's efforts to assist the Legislature, along with experts from the UA's Economic and Business Research Center and other faculty members.

"I have conveyed both to Professor Swain and to the Economic and Business Research Center that this effort is to be their highest priority, and that it will require their fullest effort and best thinking," Shelton said.

As the press conference was taking place, students from all three state universities were arriving – many by bus – to Wesley Bolin Plaza, where they protested proposed massive budget cuts to higher education.

More than 2,000 students – 1,100 from the UA alone – were on hand for the demonstration, which included a march into the Arizona House of Representatives and Arizona State Senate buildings.

A $100 million cut to the university system will result in an approximately $40 million budget cut at the UA, which Shelton said he is prepared to offer but, "cannot recommend because I do not believe it is the best course of action for the state." 

Shelton said the cuts would result in the following consequences for the UA:

• The elimination of more than 400 jobs.
• A reduction in the number of UA colleges from 16 to 13 and the consolidation of up to 50 academic and administrative units.
• Larger class sizes and fewer course offerings for students.
• An across-the-board cut of 5 percent for each unit on campus, in addition to the 5 percent cut they endured at the beginning of the fiscal year.

On Jan. 15, state legislators issued a proposal for a $243 million mid-year cut to the university system with a total $388 million cut for fiscal year 2010. The proposal has resulted in resistance from business owners and executives, community members, students, parents and alumni.

The student protest is the third major public demonstration in less than two weeks since the proposed cuts were announced.

On Jan. 20, student protests were held on the campuses of the UA, ASU and NAU. More than 1,000 students participated in the protest on the UA campus.

On Jan. 22, the largest crowd ever to attend an Arizona Board of Regents meeting convened to listen to dozens of speakers voice opposition to the proposed cuts.