Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

November 8, 2002

NOTE: A streaming media file of this forum is available on the P & S Council homepage

Geoffroy talks tuition at P&S forum

by Debra Gibson
Even if in-state tuition and fees increase by more than 20 percent in FY '03, Iowa State's standing among its land-grant peers would remain last in per student funding.

President Gregory Geoffroy spoke candidly about the university's financial challenges when he addressed the professional and scientific (P&S) open forum Nov. 6. About 60 people attended the public meeting, held in the Memorial Union's Great Hall.

Compared to 10 similar land-grant institutions in funds available per fulltime enrolled student, ISU ranks last at about $13,700 per student, Geoffroy said. The average funds available among peer land-grants are nearly $17,000 per student. These funds include tuition, fees and state appropriations.

When asked by an audience member how the proposed tuition and fees increase would affect ISU's standings in this area, Geoffroy responded, "Our position won't have changed. Everyone else is looking at big tuition increases as well."

The president also pointed out that among these same peer institutions, Iowa State's current in-state tuition ranks nearly at the bottom of the 11 at $4,100 per year, compared to an annual average of nearly $5,000. When compared to those states bordering Iowa, only South Dakota has lower tuition.

Geoffroy refuted the claim that Iowa's public institutions should ask for less tuition because Iowans earn lower salaries. ISU's tuition represents nearly 13 percent of the state's per-capita income; University of Illinois's tuition, at nearly $7,000 per year, represents 14 percent of that state's per-capita income.

Twenty years ago, Geoffroy pointed out, state appropriations supported about 75 percent of ISU students' tuition and fees. Currently, the state pays "just a little over half" that tab, with parents and/or students paying about 41 percent.

"In the next year or so, those lines well may cross," Geoffroy said, "and I find this to be a very disturbing trend. We are moving away from one of the core values of this country -- providing access to opportunity."

Geoffroy also addressed the audience regarding:

The university's overall budget outlook. Geoffroy "remains cautiously optimistic" that Iowa State will not have to revert funds mid-year, based on the state's current financial condition. "This year's revenues are coming in ahead of what was forecast, so the state has more money than it anticipated," he explained.

But he was less hopeful for the FY '04 budget. Because the state's current budget was supplemented with one-time monies from several funds, the question remains whether those funds will have to be replenished during the next fiscal year. The Iowa Legislature will determine that issue.

In the meantime, Geoffroy said he looks to his now-permanent budget task force for guidance in two key areas: where to restore key faculty positions that have been cut or left unfilled for budgetary reasons, and what areas of campus could produce further budget savings. P&S representatives on that task force include Ellen Rasmussen, assistant provost, and Kerry Dixon-Fox, project coordinator for facilities planning and management.
The ongoing provost search. Geoffroy encouraged P&S employees to attend the diversity and open forums scheduled for each of the three vice president for academic affairs and provost finalists in the coming weeks. He said he hopes to announce the new provost in early to mid-December.
Legislative challenges. "I still believe Iowans value education," Geoffroy told the audience. "But when you have to pit pre-K through 12th grade against higher education for funding, pre-K through 12th will win out." Geoffroy also discussed community colleges' bids for tax dollars, saying "Community colleges have been treated much better [by the Legislature] the past few years than Regents' institutions, and we will continue to face that issue. They are organized more effectively, and they're all putting out the same message. I think that tension will continue to exist and be heightened."
Election impact on Iowa State. In response to a question that quoted newly re-elected Gov. Tom Vilsack as calling universities "part of the economic engine of our state," Geoffroy expressed caution regarding the state's economic development efforts.

"I do believe deeply that Gov. Vilsack believes that, but there are lots of other players involved, including the Legislature," Geoffroy answered. "In the last session, our economic development budgets were cut by 60 percent, and that's wrong. Studies show that research universities are economic drivers for the regions of the country in which they are located.

"I know the governor believes that Iowa State is doing it right. He's very proud of our technology transfer initiatives and our research park. I'm hopeful that at least part of the funding that was lost will come back."