President Karen A. Holbrook's remarks at Gov. Bob Taft's press conference

Let me begin by stating that I am most grateful to be in a state where the Governor and the Legislative leadership clearly understand the critical importance of education at all levels to undergird today’s knowledge economy. There are many examples of how the Governor has been working to improve our system of education overall, and in the Governor’s remarks today we see a commitment to invest in education, and thus the futures of our young people, by sparing education from immediate cuts and by proposing to enhance education budgets in the future.

We are grateful that the core funding for higher education - the student share of instruction - has been protected from cuts in the two most recent efforts to balance the FY03 state budget. We know that this reflects a true understanding of the importance of higher education in advancing our economy and enhancing our state’s competitiveness. Our goal must be to work toward closing the gap between Ohio and the national average of citizens with some post-secondary education. We understand our responsibility to use the resources we have - and will receive in the future - efficiently, effectively and with accountability to prepare the students of today for the jobs and careers of tomorrow - again, those positions that will underpin Ohio’s future.

The Governor and the General Assembly have our support as they put forth solutions to increase revenues to offset the very difficult budgetary problems that currently face us.

We applaud the Governor’s initiative to establish the Commission on Higher Education and the Economy. The symbolism and the proposed work of this group clearly demonstrate that the Governor understands the connection between higher education and economic development. And, in promoting the Third Frontier initiative, an initiative that is well under way, the Governor has also begun the process of propelling Ohio into the knowledge economy of the 21st century. The talent of The Ohio State University is strongly behind the work of the new commission and the efforts of The Third Frontier. We pledge to help in as many ways as possible.

Finally, the issue of tuition caps has been revealed publicly for the first time at this conference. We would prefer that tuition caps were not instituted and that, instead, the trustees of each institution be charged with evaluating the need for tuition enhancement. However, we share the Governor’s concerns about affordability of higher education for Ohioans and we sincerely appreciate the continued recognition of the Ohio State’s unique situation, which is the result of maintaining a relatively low tuition rate among state institutions in the past.

I am grateful for this opportunity to join you this morning and thank you for the chance to speak on behalf of my colleagues at the other state institutions, individuals who work every day to advance the goals of higher education for our citizens in many different and important ways.