04/10/2009 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR2 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 10, 2009
8:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bettye Davis, Vice Chair
Senator Donald Olson
Senator Gary Stevens
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Charlie Huggins
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2
Urging the United States Congress to establish a federal program
to rebuild student access to public higher education in Alaska
and elsewhere and to appropriate sufficient funding for that
purpose.
MOVED SJR 2 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 2
SHORT TITLE: FED. HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING/PROGRAM
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DAVIS
01/21/09 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/09 (S) EDC
04/10/09 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 211
WITNESS REGISTER
DON BURRELL, staff to Senator Davis
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SJR 2 for the sponsor.
SAICHI OBAI, Associate Vice President for Students
University of Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SJR 2.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:05:33 AM
VICE CHAIR BETTYE DAVIS called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Stevens, Olson and Davis.
SJR 2-FED. HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING/PROGRAM
8:05:50 AM
VICE CHAIR DAVIS announced consideration of SJR 2.
DON BURRELL, staff to Senator Davis, said that SJR 2 urges
Congress to appropriate adequate funding for higher education to
all U.S. citizens. This resolution allows Alaskans in need of
assistance to receive a higher education without the burdening
dilemma of cover all educational expenses. President Obama has
set higher education as a major priority for our nation, and in
order for us to remain a leading nation, higher education must
become more accessible.
Over the past 20 years, higher education enrollment has risen by
20 percent. During this same period state subsidies of higher
education has continued to decline. This has caused student
tuition and fees to rise by 316 percent while overall inflation
only rose about 83 percent. This increased financial
responsibility on many students and their families dis-incents
higher education for many minorities, low income families, and
individuals trying to excel in their career of choice. Alaskans
can obtain a higher education, but the federal government must
do more to make higher education more accessible to our
citizens.
SJR 2 recognizes the financial and foundational changes that
must be made, and asks for the establishment of a new program
appropriating $70 billon to rebuild student access to higher
education. This is less than 10 percent of the total funds
allocated by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. SJR 2
includes college grants for military veterans, allows student
loan forgiveness and increases the funding available through the
existing Pell Grant Program. It urges the President and Congress
to close the educational achievement gap in our country.
8:08:42 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said he is very much in support of this bill. It
is essential that students with financial needs have an
opportunity to go to college, but he questioned the logic in the
second paragraph. He didn't understand how increased enrollment
and decreasing state subsidies had caused tuition and fees to go
up 316 percent. A big issue is the cost of running the
university - administration, faculty and facilities. Why is
education becoming so expensive in the country? He remarked that
Alaska is doing pretty badly; the NCSL gave it a rating of F in
assisting students with needs.
SENATOR OLSON said he is also very concerned about the trend.
8:11:33 AM
SAICHI OBAI, Associate Vice President for Students, University
of Alaska, said the university supports this resolution and all
of the efforts the legislature has made on behalf of the
university and its students.
MR. OBAI said that Senator Stevens has a very valid point; there
are a number of factors that have gone into the increased costs
of higher education - capitalism is one. Costs for all
universities have increased, but his central point was the
reason for higher costs cannot be attributed solely to the
reduction of state subsidies.
VICE CHAIR DAVIS asked if he could help with language on that
issue to put in the resolution.
MR. OBAI replied that he would be happy to.
8:14:01 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked how the $70 billion would be spent to
establish a new program that would rebuild access to higher
education.
VICE CHAIR DAVIS replied that it is for universities at the
federal level.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what the University is doing in terms of
containing costs and if the University's investments had lost
anything because of the fiscal crisis in the country.
MR. OBAI answered that said the CFO for the University, Joe
Trubach, has been clear in communicating to staff that the
investment losses at the university are severe due to the
economy. He could not give a specific dollar amount, but knows
it is in the millions. Before the fall of last year, the
President asked system administration to take steps to reduce
their costs by 17 percent. This included a minimum 10 percent
reduction in travel for this fiscal year, and they have reduced
administrative staff by 18 positions and will reduce it further
by 2 more - with a goal of 20 people for this fiscal year. They
have implemented a hiring freeze to slow the process down, which
also increases their ability to save salaries. The other
campuses have also been engaged in cost cutting measures.
SENATOR OLSON asked what the private institutions are doing
about this.
8:17:33 AM
MR. BURRELL replied that based on this resolution, these funds
from the federal government would be going to all programs based
on financial need as long as it addresses financial assistance
for returning veterans and financial needs students; they could
be used to increase the Pell grants, too. The purpose of this
resolution is to request those funds and to rebuild the system.
SENATOR OLSON asked if the funds would also go to private
institutions.
VICE CHAIR DAVIS said she is not sure if this money would go to
private institutions.
MR. OBAI said typically private universities and colleges are
eligible for funding as long as they meet the criteria set down
by the federal government.
8:20:05 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked Mr. Obai if there is still a National
Defense Student Loan Program. Is this similar to that?
MR. OBAI replied that he didn't think the National Defense
Student Loan Program was still in existence. There is a direct
student program that is still available, but the University does
not participate in direct student lending; it works through a
network of lenders.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if Pell grants are just for those with
financial need.
MR. OBAI replied that they are only for those with the highest
financial need as determined on the application for student aide
(FAFSA).
VICE CHAIR DAVIS found no further comments and closed public
testimony.
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report SJR 2 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, the motion carried.
8:22:41 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Vice Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 8:22 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 2 Ed Com of the States policy brief.pdf |
SEDC 4/10/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SJR 2 |
| SJR 2 AASCU policy brief.pdf |
SEDC 4/10/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SJR 2 |
| SJR 2 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/10/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SJR 2 |
| SJR 2 SHEEO State Higher Ed Finance.pdf |
SEDC 4/10/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SJR 2 |
| SJR 2 NCSL Bl Rib Com on Higher Ed.pdf |
SEDC 4/10/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SJR 2 |
| SJR 2 SEDC Zero Fiscal Note.pdf |
SEDC 4/10/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SJR 2 |