Your Online ASU Legislative Connection
Volume 4 Issue 2

Dear Sun Devil Advocates,

Budget negotiations are under way and here’s a look at the university budget as proposed by the governor when the session began. All items are still part of the current negotiations.

48th Legislative Budget Status

GOVERNOR’S FY 2008 BUDGET PROPOSAL

Growth Enrollment – $13.8 million so ASU can meet the demands of Arizona’s growing population.

Nine out of ten students choosing to attend Arizona’s university system select Arizona State University. ASU’s freshman class for the fall 2006 semester contains 9,052 students; a 7% increase from the Fall 2005 class, a 33% increase since 2002 and a 109% increase since 1996. ASU is seeking an increased investment of $16.7 million in enrollment growth from the legislature for additional faculty and staff positions in order to meet the demands resulting from student enrollment increases while maintaining academic quality.

Performance Funding – $ 760,000 for meeting graduation and related goals.

Retention Student and Faculty – $15 million to improve student retention and graduation rates, and for retaining and attracting faculty.

ASU is seeking a $15 million investment to continue qualitative improvements in undergraduate learning. The investment supports increasing student retention, enhancing the quality of curriculum, promoting a learner centered agenda and improving graduation rates. Investing in student success will provide for the following: additional instructional faculty; increase course offerings and availability; reduce class sizes; and the use of technology to facilitate and improve student advising.

Math and Science Initiative – $750,000 to increase the number of K-12 math and science teachers.

Phoenix Biomedical Campus – $2.5 Million to continue the development of the campus. UA received an identical recommendation.

ASU is seeking an additional $2 million investment in base funding to augment the state’s initial $1 investment in Biomedical Informatics. The Arizona State System Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix provides a unique opportunity for the development of a world class Biomedical Informatics Department which will incorporate the studies of computer science, biology and engineering, to organize and analyze medical data. This unique program will also apply its new knowledge through clinical and public outreach to primary care and public health practitioners in the delivery of health care.

Del E Webb School of Construction – $1.5 Million in facility funding for the construction of a new school.

This initiative is a partnership between the State of Arizona, ASU and Arizona’s construction industry, to construct a new facility for the Del E. Webb School of Construction. ASU seeks an annual $1.5 million investment to lease purchase finance the new facility. The state’s investment would provide up to $20 million for the cost of construction, and the balance of $10 million for the facility would be provided by the construction industry. The construction industry will also contribute an additional $10 million endowment to the Del E. Webb School of Construction to match the state’s $20 million investment.

Research Infrastructure – $14.4 Million for the payment of the first debt service payment related to buildings at the Polytechnic, Tempe and Downtown campuses.

Phoenix Biomedical Campus – $2.5 Million to continue the development of the campus. UA received an identical recommendation.

Accelerated growth of the PBC is necessary to address Arizona’s healthcare provider shortage, foster vigorous development of clinical and translational research opportunities and establish new models of interdisciplinary clinical care to improve health care throughout the state. The acceleration of the PBC requires a significant commitment of resources in terms of operating and capital funds, including the prompt planning and construction of a second collaborative research building and an expanded education building.

Employee Pay, Healthcare and Retirement – The Governor is recommends a 3.5% increase which includes sufficient funding to hold state employees harmless for their share of increased insurance premiums. The increased employer share of ASRS costs is also included in the 3.5% increase.

We will continue to send updates on the budget as they become available. ASU depends on your active participation to make certain that our legislators support funding for all of these critical programs and initiatives.

Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of Arizona State University.

Your ASU Alumni Association

P.S. If you want to become an active member of the ASU Alumni Association, one of the best ways you can give back is through membership in the ASU Alumni Association. The annual dues of $45 offer an affordable way to help build ASU’s reputation. Visit www.asu.edu/alumni/membership or call 1-800-ALUMNUS.

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