In his column in last Sunday's Arizona Republic, Bob Robb got one thing right: the biggest issue faced by Arizona State University, and Arizona's other state universities, is the need to retain and graduate more students. However, his presentation of a single limited ideological viewpoint, rather than examples of legitimate solutions in the context of real-world operational challenges, ignores the facts about the delivery of higher education to those seeking an undergraduate degree. His failure to acknowledge or make reference to the data that describes the educational, operational and fiscal reality of the higher education "marketplace" in Phoenix does little to constructively advance the important conversation about education in our state.
First, when measured against its peers, ASU is one of the most "efficient" institutions of higher education in the country. ASU offers a quality undergraduate education with approximately $12, 849 per student while its peer institutions do so with far greater financial resources.
Second, the price of obtaining a baccalaureate degree at ASU remains modest when compared to other institutions, be they public or private. Because it would confuse the elegance of his ideological position to acknowledge the facts about the price of undergraduate instruction at ASU, Robb repeatedly ignores the distinction between the tuition "sticker price" and the "net price" actually paid after financial aid.
Third, ASU is delivering on all aspects of its commitment to excellence, access and impact. A quick visit to the ASU website bears out the significant accomplishments that are being made everyday in the areas of academics, research and economic development, outreach and athletics, among others. These achievements help to make Arizona more competitive on all fronts. If we can continue to support this progress while simultaneously helping the state to avert a serious economic downturn, it is our responsibility to take action.
A few questions about the proposed stimulus package
1. The Executive Summary reports that “Arizona has lost construction jobs in recent months” and it is estimated that the stimulus package would create "about 14,000 new construction jobs" and another "16,000 jobs would be indirectly created, for a total gain of about 30,000 new jobs”. How many construction and related jobs have been lost in AZ? Or, to put it another way, by what percentage would 30,000 new jobs offset the losses we have experienced?
2. The Board of Regents expects enrollment “to explode” in the next decade. How much increase in infrastructure capacity, as a percentage of current, is expected from the stimulus package, and how long will this increased capacity meet projected needs?
3. It is estimated that the fiscal impact of the Phoenix Biomedical Campus will be between $1.2 and $2.1 billion. What factors were considered in this estimate?
4. Payments on debt-service would be deferred until FY10 “at a time when the state should be in economic recovery and revenue has increased”. What is the basis for this expectation, and what contingencies will be employed should the economy not be in recovery and/or revenues have not increased?
5. During the upcoming study session, the Board of Regents will review the “expected impact on the construction industry”. Will in-state contractors be considered first for new contracts before out-of-state contractors are considered?
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