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Regents Recommend Increasing University Operations Budgets In 2016

Arizona’s three public universities could see a nearly 8 percent increase in their operations budgets in 2016. The Arizona Board of Regents outlined its proposal for university funding at a meeting in Flagstaff Thursday.

It’s the second time Arizona will fund NAU, ASU and U of A with the new formula based on university performance, including graduation rates.

Board Chairman Mark Killian said the regents recommend universities receive a combined $62 million for operating costs in 2016. 

But he said a recent court ruling that says Arizona must provide K-12 schools with an initial $317 million it cut during the recession could be a roadblock for universities.

“We understand that problem. But, what we’re most concerned about is continuing cuts to the universities and our abilities to deliver the quality education that the taxpayers deserve and want in the state,” Killian said.

He said getting support in the legislature won’t be easy. State lawmakers cut university funding by almost $1 billion during the recession and only $88 million has been restored.

Killian said right now, university funding per pupil is at the same level that it was in 1955.

Steve Shadley was a reporter at KJZZ from 1990 to 1996 and from 2012 to 2015.