UA News

The series kicks off today at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Union Memorial Center.

A new lecture series, hosted by the University of Arizona's Center for the Study of Higher Education, will examine the economic crisis facing higher education institutions across the United States.

The first lecture in the "Higher Education and the New Economy" series will take place today at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Union Memorial Center's Tucson Room, where College of Education Dean Ron Marx and College of Science Dean Joaquin Ruiz will speak.  

The series invites UA and community leaders – including educators, legislators, lobbyists and others – to share their expertise on current challenges facing higher education and discuss creative solutions for dealing with them.

"We wanted to bridge our scholarly expertise with what's actually happening on campus," said Jenny Lee, director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education, an interdisciplinary unit devoted to the study of higher education, including organizations, faculty and students, and access in the United States and globally.

"We don't know what higher education will look like in a few years," Lee said. "Clearly this is a period of uncertainty and this is the optimal time to get some clarity."

With the national economy struggling, many state budgets have suffered, resulting in declining state support for higher education institutions. The UA has lost about $100 million in state funding over the past two years and campus leaders anticipate further permanent cuts.

However, this is not the first time higher education institutions have faced a loss of state funding.

In fact, state support for higher education has been dwindling since 1975, Marx said. As a result, universities can no longer rely solely on the state and other traditional means of funding, like tuition dollars, and must instead look to new partnerships to generate revenue, he said.

"We're in the middle of an acceleration of the privatization of higher education in America," Marx said. "I'm going to talk about the historic disinvestment of the state over the last 35 years and the implications for the way we do business."

Following each lecture, there will be about 15 minutes for audience questions and discussion, Lee said. There also will be a public blog to allow attendees to comment on the lectures and continue discussion after the formal talks are over.  

"The series is open to anyone, but UA employees are specifically encouraged to attend since they are often the people who feel most affected by budget cuts," Lee said. "The series will give them a chance to hear straight answers from leaders in a face-to-face format rather than through secondhand news articles or rumors on campus."

"There's a lot of unsubstantiated fear and uncertainty," she said. "We hope to facilitate a public discussion so anyone can provide their input."

Reservations for the lectures are not required, but attendees are encouraged to show up early as space is limited. The following speakers are scheduled throughout the spring semester. All lectures take place on Thursdays from 12:30-1:45 p.m. Room locations are subject to change. For the latest schedule, visit the Center for Higher Education Web site.

For additional information, contact Lee at jennylee@u.arizona.edu.

• Jan. 28 – Deans Panel: College of Education Dean Ron Marx and College of Science Dean Joaquin Ruiz in the Tucson Room, Student Union Memorial Center
• Feb. 11 – Arizona Board of Regents President Ernest Calderon in the Santa Rita Room, Student Union Memorial Center
• Feb. 18 – UA President Robert Shelton in the Santa Rita Room, Student Union Memorial Center
• Feb. 25 – Former Association of American Universities President Nils Hasselmo in Room 218, Koffler Building
• March 4 – Lobbyist Panel: UA lobbyist Greg Fahey and ABOR lobbyist Christine Thompson in the Rincon Room, Student Union Memorial Center
• March 11 – American Association of University Professors General Secretary Gary Rhoades in Room 218, Koffler Building               
• March 25 – Former Arizona Senate President Tim Bee in the Santa Rita Room, Student Union Memorial Center
• April 8 – Foundation Presidents Panel: Paul Luna of the Helios Foundation and Jack Jewett of the Flinn Foundation in the Santa Rita Room, Student Union Memorial Center
• April 15 – Pima Community College President Roy Flores in the Santa Rita Room, Student Union Memorial Center
• April 22 – Legislative Panel: state Sen. Paula Aboud, state Rep. Nancy Wright Young and Goldwater Institute Vice President of Research Matt Ladner in Room 218, Koffler Building
• April 29 – Arizona State University President Michael Crow in the Santa Rita Room, Student Union Memorial Center