Noting that a strong system of higher education is essential to supporting and building the skilled workforce that is the backbone of Colorado’s economy, the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System unanimously passed a resolution supporting Colorado Proposition CC. If approved by voters, Proposition CC would provide improved state support for colleges and universities, public schools, and roads and transportation across Colorado, without raising taxes.
The Board of Governors passed the resolution Sept. 9; the proposition will appear on the Nov. 5 election ballot. The full text of the resolution is available here.
“We’ve worked closely with the Governor and the Legislature over the past decade to restore state funding lost during the recession, but we’re still not where we were in 2008. That’s impacted students and tuition, and ultimately, who can afford a public education in Colorado,” said Tony Frank, chancellor of the CSU System.
Affordable and accessible
The Colorado State University System encompasses three distinct universities: CSU, a leading public research university and the state’s only land-grant institution, located in Fort Collins; CSU Pueblo, a regional-serving campus and federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution; and CSU Global, the nation’s first fully accredited online university. CSU System institutions serve nearly 60,000 students annually.
“Proposition CC doesn’t raise taxes, but it will help restrain costs for everyone pursuing a college degree in our state schools. That’s why our board voted to support the ballot measure. We want to keep college affordable and accessible,” said Frank.
In announcing its support for the proposition, the Board of Governors stated Proposition CC would ensure CSU System schools can stay within financial reach for Colorado students.
“We bemoan that public funding for higher education hasn’t recovered since the recession, and students are bearing the burden,” Board Chair Nancy Tuor said. “As a board, we don’t want to get into politics, but our campuses and students need this support.”
As a governing body, the Board of Governors has the authority under the Fair Campaign Practices Act to take a position on ballot issues that impact the CSU System. The Board noted that funding for Colorado higher education still lags behind pre-recession levels, even as costs have risen and state campuses are enrolling and graduating record numbers of students from Colorado.
