Legislative update: a briefing for faculty and staff of the University System of Georgia, No. 3 (Jan. 27, 2003)

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
A Briefing for Faculty & Staff of the University System of Georgia
"Creating a More Educated Georgia"

No. 3, Jan. 27, 2003

Chancellor's Budget Address Emphasizes Partnership in State's Turnaround

T he University System of Georgia's ability to bolster the state's economy through its strong academic programs, its contributions to the state's workforce, its role in luring researchers and new businesses to Georgia, and its construction program was the key message on Jan. 21 when Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith addressed the Joint House and Senate Appropriations Committees on the FY 2003 Amended Budget and the FY 2004 Budget.
"Our system is the economic engine that can be a significant factor as we work together to revive this state's economy," Meredith said. "Together, we will solve the state's revenue problems. Gov. [Sonny] Perdue has stated he intends to work for a Georgia that is educated, safe, healthy and growing. We are going to be active partners in helping Governor Perdue achieve these objectives."

Meredith said the Board of Regents and USG presidents have taken the state's economic plight very seriously and are determined to be efficient and effective in their use of state dollars, "with the maintenance of our outstanding quality as an overarching goal.
"The state of Georgia has developed one of this nation's very best higher education systems," he told committee members. "I cannot stress too strongly that the outstanding quality that has been built over time must not be torn down in just two or three years. Higher education is a reputation-driven industry. So far, our reputation is still intact."
The recent dip in the state's economy has helped drive the University System's enrollment to an all-time high of 233,098 students, and more students than ever before are enrolling full time and staying in the System from year to year. "We are the place

people go when times are tough," the chancellor said. "It's very difficult to cut back ... at the very time the demand for our services is booming."

Meredith told

committee

members that

the University

System is operating today on less money than it was a year

Chancellor Meredith addresses the Joint House and Senate Appropriations Committees on Jan. 21.

ago, but student enrollment has grown by more than 7 percent during that time.

to some classes has been reduced significantly.

Recent budget cuts -- totaling $184 million in FY 2003 alone -- have threatened the quality of the services offered by the University System of Georgia, Meredith said. For example, because of faculty attrition and the loss of teaching positions the student/ faculty ratio and therefore class sizes have increased, more students are being taught by part-time instructors instead of full-time

"All of these items have a cumulative impact on quality," he said. "And quite frankly they have an impact on student debt, as it takes longer for many students to graduate. ... It means that we are coming very close to the point where what you have so carefully built -- one of this nation's outstanding systems of public higher education -- will be compromised. ... The core of our mission of teaching,

professors, and access

See "Budget," Page 2 ...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- January 27, 2003, Issue No. 3

Budget Address
Continued from Page 1...
research and service to this state must be protected from further erosion."
Turning to funding needs associated with the 3,000-plus state buildings entrusted to the regents, the chancellor said System officials are delighted about the recommendation to include $25 million in Maintenance Repair and Rehabilitation (MRR) funding in the FY '03 Amended Budget.
"Our FY `03 Budget contained $56 million for MRR, but $25 million was cut in the FY `03 discussions," Meredith said. "This recommendation puts back that money that was cut. Every institution will benefit. We are grateful."
Capital projects recommended for funding in the FY '03
Next Up:
Gov. Perdue's "State of the State" Address
Tonight, Jan. 27 7:30 p.m. To be aired live on GPTV

Amended Budget in-

a public/private

clude $8.6 million for

partnership in which

the Coverdell Building

private businesses

at the University of

and individuals con-

Georgia and $4

tribute a partial

million for the Old

endowment, to be

Governor's Mansion at

matched by the

Georgia College &

state, for a top

State University.

quality faculty

The chancellor expressed concern over a recommendation that

scholar in a field of particular interest to an institution;

combines separate-but- $5 million to cover

related USG requests

increased employer

for funding of the Con- share costs for life

necting Teachers and

insurance prem-

Technology and Con-

iums and optional

necting Students and

retirement plan

Services initiatives into rates;

a single request.

$4.5 million to

"While we are

update technology

pleased with this rec-

and renovate

ommendation, it is short buildings for the

of the full proposal,"

Georgia Public

Meredith said. " We will

Library System;

lose $1.3 million, which will impact our service to students. This effort serves to prepare teachers to use technology in the classroom and in student advising and to provide distance education opportunities. It also supports a number of technologies that assist students in the transition from high school to college and in

$1.7 million for the statewide Public Information Network for Electronic Services (PINES) computer program that serves 247 public libraries; and
$115,000 to fund the operation of the GALILEO statewide electronic library.

college."

In the FY '04 Budget,

Meredith listed several items in the University System's FY '03 Amended Budget that did not get a recommendation for funding, including:
the Eminent Scholars Program,

Meredith called attention to two items totaling $88.2 million that represent "the bread and butter of our budget" -- $81.5 million in formula funding to cover enrollment growth and

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$6.7 million to cover operation and maintenance costs associated with an increase in the square footage of the System's physical plant.
"Both of these items are basic to our ability to operate and truly, truly critical," the chancellor told committee members, explaining that the funding formula is based on enrollment figures two years out of date. "I urge you to give them the most careful consideration as we work to meet the increased -- and still increasing -- demand on our services by Georgians."
The recommendation to provide $32 million in MRR funding in the FY '04 Budget is appreciated and "vital" to the maintenance of the University System's facilities, Meredith said. "But I cannot state forcefully enough that it is far short of what is needed to keep our physical plant in proper repair and operating condition."
The chancellor urged committee members to give MRR funding careful consideration. "It is critical to the System and to our ability to be good stewards of the facilities with which the citizens
See "Budget," Page 4 ...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- January 27, 2003, Issue No. 3

Charting the Committees
During each 40-day legislative session, hundreds of bills and resolutions are introduced into the General Assembly. To divide up the workload, the House and Senate have created committees that allow each piece of legislation to be considered efficiently.

Here is a helpful list of committees chairs for the 2003 General Assembly:

House of Representatives

Administrative Services Gail Buckner, Jonesboro; Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Robert Ray, Fort Valley; Appropriations Tom Buck, Columbus; Arts & Humanities JoAnn McClinton, Atlanta; Banks & Banking Johnny Floyd, Cordele; Children & Youth

Lane, Statesboro; Governmental Affairs Alan Powell, Hartwell; Health & Ecology Buddy Childers, Rome; Higher Education Louise McBee, Athens; Human Relations & Aging Henry Howard, Augusta; Industrial Relations Paul Smith, Rome; Insurance

Georganna Sinkfield, Atlanta; Defense & Veterans Affairs Ken Birdsong, Gordon; Economic Development & Tourism Butch Parrish, Swainsboro; Education Bob Holmes, Atlanta; Ethics Barbara Mobley, Atlanta; Game, Fish & Parks Bob

Jimmy Lord, Sandersville; Interstate Cooperation Ann Purcell, Rincon; IntraGovernmental Coordination Keith Heard, Athens; Journals Doug Teper, Atlanta; Judiciary Tom Bordeaux, Savannah; Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment

Carolyn Hughley, Columbus; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview George Maddox, Decatur; Motor Vehicles Bobby Parham, Milledgeville; Natural Resources Bob Hanner, Parrot; Public Safety Mike Snow, Chickamauga; Public Utilities & Telecommunications David Lucas, Macon; Regulated Industries Carl Von Epps, LaGrange; Retirement Bill Cummings, Rockmart; Rules Calvin Smyre, Columbus; Special Judiciary Curtis
See "House," Page 4 ...

Senate
Agriculture & Consumer Affairs John Bulloch, Ochlocknee; Appropriations Jack Hill, Reidsville; Banking & Financial Institutions Don Cheeks, Augusta; Children & Youth Ginger Collins, Atlanta; Economic Development & Tourism Jeff Mullis, Chickamauga; Education Joey Brush, Martinez; Ethics & Government Reform Mike Crotts, Conyers; Finance Casey Cagle, Gainesville; Health & Human Services Don

Thomas, Dalton; Higher

burg; Retirement Ralph

Education Bill Hamrick, Hudgens, Comer; Rules

Douglasville; Insurance & Don Balfour, Snellville;

Labor Robert Lamutt,

Science & Technology

Marietta; Interstate Co- David Shafer, Duluth;

operation vacant; Judi- Special Judiciary Rene

ciary Charlie Tanksley, Kemp, Hinesville; State &

Marietta; Natural Re-

Local Government Opera-

sources Hugh Gillis, Sop- tions Renee Unterman,

erton; Public Safety &

Loganville; State

Homeland Security

Institutions & Property

Rooney Bowen, Cordele;

Regina Thomas, Savannah;

Reapportionment &

Transportation Tommie

Redistricting Dan Lee, Williams, Lyons; and Vet-

LaGrange; Regulated

erans & Military Affairs

Industries & Utilities Seth Harp, Midland.

Mitch Seabaugh, Sharps-

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Membership of Higher Education Committees
The Senate's Higher Education Committee is chaired this year by Bill Hamrick of Douglasville. Seth Harp of Midland is the committee's vice chair, and Brian Kemp of Athens serves as secretary. The following senators are members: Tim Golden, Valdosta; Randy Hall, Augusta; Kasim Reed, Atlanta; Mary Squires, Norcross; and Robert Lamutt, Marietta (ex officio).
The House's Higher Education Committee is chaired by Louise McBee of Athens. There is no vice chair as yet. Lee Howell of Griffin serves as secretary. The following representatives are members: Ron Borders, Valdosta; Tom Buck, Columbus; Barbara Mobley, Decatur; Quincy Murphy, Augusta; DuBose Porter, Dublin; Calvin Smyre, Columbus; Sharon Cooper, Marietta; Bill Hembree, Douglasville; Calvin Hill, Woodstock; Chuck Martin, Alpharetta; Ed Rynders, Albany; and Len Walker, Loganville.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- January 27, 2003, Issue No. 3

Budget Address
Continued from Page 2...
of this state have entrusted us," he said.
Major capital outlay projects recommended to receive construction funding in the FY '04 Budget include Georgia Southern University's Henderson Library ($20.5 million) and the Medical College of Georgia's Biotechnology and Cancer Research Center ($8.6 million).
Recommended to receive design funds are Phase III of the University of Georgia's School of Art ($2.5 million) and the renovation of the Parks Nursing/Health Science Building at Georgia College & State University ($600,000).
Also, seven previously funded major capital outlay projects have been recommended to receive $5 million in equipment funding in the FY '04 Budget.
"It is important that we keep up the momentum of this historic investment in public higher education," the

chancellor said in concluding his remarks. "It's important we don't lose sight of our long-term goal dur-ing this current fiscal year -- to create a more educated Georgia.
"We want to serve more students," he continued. "We want to serve business and industry. We want to excel and expand the kind of research that brings new products, new jobs and new businesses to Georgians. We want to expand our public service efforts to reach more Georgians. All of these worthy objectives will help create a safer, healthier and more educated Georgia that is growing.
"Great leadership rises to the top during the most difficult times," Meredith added. "We are fortunate to have outstanding regents and presidents ... and a competent legislature and governor as well. We stand ready to partner with you to help our state through these difficult times."

House Chairs

Continued from Page 3...

Jenkins, Forsyth; Special Rules (Policy) Michele Henson, Stone Mountain; State Institutions & Community Affairs Gerald Greene, Cuthbert; State Planning &

Community Affairs Tommy Smith, Alma; Transportation Ralph Twiggs, Hiawassee; and Ways & Means Richard Royal, Camilla.

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