TEMPE, AZ (CBS5) -
The Arizona state legislature has directed the three state universities to recommend a funding structure that addresses the issue of per student funding disparities among the universities.
Arizona State University last year received nearly $900 less in state funding per student than the University of Arizona, while Northern Arizona University received nearly $760 less per student than UA. In fiscal 2011, UA got $6,598 per full-time student in state funding, ASU got $5,702 and NAU got $5,840, according to the Arizona Board of Regents.
The board is asking the state legislature to phase in additional funding over five years, beginning in fiscal 2013, to help ASU and NAU catch up with UA on a per student funding basis.
The regents are requesting $15.3 million in unearmarked money in fiscal 2013, with the rest phased in over four years. The state legislature and governor need to approve the funding.
The change could eventually bring nearly $60 million more annually to ASU and $16.5 million more to NAU. UA would not lose or gain any funding under the proposal.
The university presidents unanimously support the plan.
Copyright 2012 KPHO (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
All
content ©Copyright 2000 - 2012, KPHO, Phoenix, AZ.
(A Meredith Corporation Station) and WorldNow. All rights
reserved.
