Staben’s proposal to JFAC a strong move, but may not gain approval
Yesterday, University of Idaho President Chuck Staben made a proposal to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) of the Idaho State Legislature, requesting the state fully fund a 3 percent pay increase for UI faculty and staff.In return, he promised to freeze tuition at the current rate for in-state undergraduate students.
If the state approves Staben’s proposal, the 2015-2016 academic year will be the first time UI in-state undergraduate students do not see an increase in tuition in over two decades.
Staben’s promise follows a request by Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter for a 3 percent pay increase for all state employees, including those in higher education. Otter made the request at the beginning of the legislative session and offered $5.5 million from the state for the State Board of Education to distribute among Idaho schools.
With the distribution, UI would need to cover about half the money that makes up the 3 percent increase — approximately $1.6 million — unless legislators decide to provide the additional funding and cover the full cost of an increase.
With his request, Staben’s first-ever presentation to JFAC showed his potential as a leader for UI.
His proposal is a reflection of his desire to find a solution to help UI employees — whose salaries are roughly 85 percent of those at peer institutions — as well as ease the ever-growing financial burden on students, yet maintain the overall quality of the academic experience at UI.
Staben’s proposal showed he is willing to stand up for students, faculty and staff at UI, as well as any students looking to attend UI in the future.
But, no matter how well intentioned Staben’s proposal is, students should be accustomed to disappointment when it comes to state funding for education. Staben’s proposal, while noble, will likely be unproductive in actually influencing a fund shift and increasing state CEC funding — as unfortunate as that reality may be.
If the state refuses to comply with his proposal — and it’s likely they won’t — it’s clear students should expect a tuition increase, just as they’ve seen every year prior in order to keep up with university costs and fulfill Otter’s request for employee raises.
Though a fully state funded CEC is improbable, students should be wary of what a declined proposal and a state mandate for salary increases could mean for their tuition rates.
As the legislature moves forward in considering proposals and determining state funding, students have an increased stake in this year’s legislative session — one that could actually impact their bank accounts.
There’s no simple solution to stopping tuition increases or paying employees competitive wages, but Staben is clearly trying to solve both issues and for that he must be commended.