A Silver Lining

The 2002 session of the Virginia General Assembly faced a huge challenge. The legislators had to deal with one of the most severe budgetary shortfalls in the history of the commonwealth -- an estimated $3.8 billion over the next two and a half years.

There are no easy answers to problems of this magnitude. The legislature faced the issue squarely, and painful budget cuts were deemed necessary for all state agencies, including higher education.

It is difficult to imagine a silver lining in large budget reductions, but there was a modicum of good news for JMU in the budget action. Budget reductions were proportionately based, in large part, on the degree to which each institution is currently underfunded. An earlier General Assembly study had concluded that JMU's budget is the most underfunded in the state and that JMU warrants an additional $25 million a year. The legislators also gave state colleges permission to increase tuition to absorb some of the budget cuts.

By moderately raising tuition (the first increase in seven years), JMU should be able to accommodate a reduction in state funds without having to curtail programs or lay off faculty or staff members -- as some institutions will be forced to do. The cost for a Virginia student to attend JMU will go from $4,094 a year to $4,288, an increase of $194 or 4.7 percent. Total instate costs, including room and board, will go from $9,552 to $9,856 (a 3.2 percent increase). There are larger increases for out-of-state students.

We always regret having to raise tuition, but I am pleased that our board of visitors agreed to increase financial aid by $250,000, a 6.3 percent increase. We continue to be committed to providing a high-quality education at a reasonable price. However, a tuition increase gives us a way to absorb most of the budget cuts and to avoid some of the drastic cutbacks in service that we had earlier feared.

With the tuition increase, JMU can basically offset the financial cuts. JMU has escaped the worst of the budgetary devastation being experienced by many state agencies. While the budget will not allow us to make any dramatic expansions to our operations, we should be able to continue at our current level with the hope for additional staff and resources when the state economy improves.

Despite the challenges we face, I am encouraged by the legislature's action and see positive signs for JMU. With this budget, the General Assembly has signaled an acknowledgment of JMU's budgetary needs. Moreover, a large number of construction projects at JMU are included in a bond proposal passed by the legislature. In fact, JMU would receive more construction funds under the bond issue than any other college or university in the state. (See story on Page 9.)

A combination of funds from the bond issue and other legislation approved by the legislature would bring JMU $125.2 million in funding for construction projects over the next seven years. I certainly encourage alumni and parents in Virginia to support this bond issue on Nov. 5.

The bond issue addresses a number of construction needs at the university. It is essential that older campus buildings be renovated and modernized to maintain their usefulness. The bonds will provide a way to undertake major academics renovation projects for Miller Hall and Harrison Hall and its annex.

The bond issue would provide much of the funding for a center for the arts and a music recital hall. Private funds are also being raised for those two important projects.

The JMU campus east of Interstate 81 continues to grow and expand. This year's legislative action could lead to two major new facilities in that area. A new chemistry-physics building is planned to support our outstanding programs in the sciences and a new library east of the interstate will complement the resources of Carrier Library.

There will be more information about the bond referendum in the summer issue of Montpelier. The November vote on the bond issue will be extremely important for the future of JMU and for higher education in the state. Please plan to do all you can to support a positive vote.

Linwood H. Rose

President