Columbus - Ohio State University President William E. ("Brit") Kirwan today praised the Ohio Board of Regents for recommending strategic increases in state support for higher education. The recommendations will be forwarded to Governor Bob Taft and the Ohio General Assembly.

"The Board of Regents should be commended for the thoughtful and bold recommendations they have brought forth for funding higher education over the 2002-2003 biennium budget years," Kirwan said.

"While Ohio currently ranks 42nd among all states in support to higher education, the strategic approach taken in these recommendations focuses resources in a substantive manner for Ohio's colleges and universities, both to improve and strengthen basic university operations, and improve student retention and graduation rates. The recommendations will also improve higher education's competitiveness in securing research grants from the Federal Government and other sources.

"Of particular note," said Kirwan, "is a sensible level of funding for the Ohio Plan, which will go a long way toward helping develop a much needed high-tech sector of the Ohio economy. This is an area where the greatest growth in high-paying jobs will occur in the foreseeable future and Ohio has room to make significant gains."

From an Ohio State perspective, Kirwan said that the Regents' recommendations are critical to the university's goal of raising its academic standing so that it can more effectively prepare students for success in the 21st century and contribute more significantly to the state's economic development.

Kirwan also praised the Regents for their recommendation that Ohio State be granted relief from the state mandated six percent cap on annual tuition increases.

"One of our principal objectives," he said, "is to improve Ohio State's educational experience for students. These financial resources would be targeted to three specific areas - the classroom experience, academic support, and financial aid.

"Specifically, we intend to use the additional revenue generated by higher tuition to focus on such student needs as improved academic advising, lowering the student/faculty ratio, and sharply increasing the quality of classroom technology. Student financial aid would also receive increased support so that our students will be able to attend Ohio State regardless of their financial resources.

"Ohio State's tuition is currently in the lower half of tuition rates among public universities in the state," Kirwan said, "and the tuition increase would be phased-in over several years so as not to pose an added financial burden on students.

"Our goal is to have the resources needed to provide an exceptional student experience. With this relief, Ohio State will be more in alignment with the tuition charged by other Ohio universities."

Kirwan said the university will work actively with the Governor and General Assembly to help ensure legislative passage of the Regents' proposals.

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