KR: Higher Ed Choices Worsen Things

What is the last thing Idaho’s colleges should do during a recession? How about pricing students out of the market? Or driving away quality faculty or staff? If university presidents aren’t careful, they run the risk of doing both. It depends on how they handle the current cash crunch - and how much help they get from the Statehouse. Last week, the State Board of Education said it will allow universities to seek tuition or fee increases exceeding 10 percent. The board also moved a step closer to giving presidents greater leeway to cut personnel costs; a final decision could come in February. There is an air of desperation here; with tax collections still sputtering, the State Board seems to be pulling out all the stops and allowing university presidents to weather the storm by whatever means necessary. Even if the “solutions” make a bad situation worse/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here .

Question: What would you suggest the state do, to help Idaho’s colleges survive the current economic storm?