Can Idaho see the big picture?

Budget cuts reflect lack of vision

If you’re a student that’s been here for more than one semester, it’s likely you’ve noticed the consistent increases in tuition at the beginning of every new semester for the past several years. While many people direct their frustrations at NIC, few are recognizing the true culprit: the government.

OK, before you roll your eyes and think “Here we go… another soliloquy about government mis-management,” at least hear me out. The increasing burden on students’ wallets is a direct result of policies made on a state level in an effort to tighten the budget and ultimately pass the cost of higher education on to the students.

Due to how slow the rate of increase in tuition has been, there hasn’t been much resistance and, as demonstrated by our rapid enrollment increases, it hasn’t been enough to deter people from college altogether. When you put the figures side by side, though, it’s clear just how much money colleges have been losing. Only four years ago, in the 2007-2008 school year, for instance, enrollment for a full-time student was $1,055, compared to this semester of $1,382

It’s unfortunate, but when states tighten their belts, higher education is usually first on the chopping block, and Idaho is no exception. Last semester alone, NIC’s property tax was raised by a quarter of a million dollars while its general state funding was cut by $354,500 and its  private training establishment funding reduced by $71,000. As NIC still wishes to remain in the black, the only realistic option available is to continue raising tuition, even amidst record enrollment figures.

However, while all the new students are beneficial for the college, they still come with a price. A larger staff, continuous parking lot renovations and other increases in overhead still make a significant impact on the school’s decision to raise tuition.

To me, the Idaho state government’s actions don’t seem like the most logical course of action. These cuts that seemingly penalize those wishing to be better equipped for a shrinking job market almost guarantee Idaho will never be a contender for a higher per capita income as per the rest of the nation.

What it comes down to is a simple lack of foresight. Although the fix is quick and easy, is it really good for Idaho in the long run?

I’ll admit that states allocate a lot of money to education, but when they’re looking to save money, these large figures must look tempting to number crunchers. What they don’t realize is that, at face value, the educational budget may look inflated but the money is necessary.

An education is a valuable commodity and has a budget that reflects that. In fact, it’s key to the United States’ future if it wishes to remain a player on the international level. Up and coming countries around the world have already realized this, so when will we?