TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Private Colleges Can Ease Higher Education Squeeze

ADVERTISEMENT

By BELINDA KEISER

Published: December 6, 2007

Now is the time to recognize the critical contributions private nonprofit and for-profit, regionally accredited colleges and universities have made over the years, and more importantly, their great potential in being part of the solution to the financial woes currently beleaguering Florida's higher education system.

In recent weeks the news has been distressing: a $30 million shortfall predicted for the University of Central Florida, an enrollment freeze at Florida State University, word that Florida is ranked second to last in student-to-teacher ratio and talk of major reductions in programs at public higher education institutions across the state to accommodate tens of millions in budget reductions.

These planned cutbacks at major public universities continue to underscore the need to utilize all Florida's resources in the effort to produce more bachelor's degrees and meet workforce needs. In short, any long-term plan must be inclusive of the private sector, which produces strong job candidates in a cost-effective manner to the state.

The millions in shortfalls for Florida's state university system follow the predictions of this year's Pappas report, which says the system faces a possible shortfall of more than $8 billion over the next decade. Another recent report by the Washington Economic Group (WEG) stresses the significant role which private, for-profit colleges and universities play in meeting the state's higher educational needs, producing high graduation rates and high levels of job placements.

At no cost to the public, private nonprofit and for-profit regionally accredited, schools are training students to fill workforce needs, such as more nurses, health care technicians, IT workers, administrators and business executives. These private schools pay taxes; they don't spend taxes. Only a small amount of tuition money comes from public funds: grants given directly to students to spend on their educations as they choose.

Programs such as Florida's Access to Better Learning and Education (ABLE) must be funded to provide students with options for their education and freedom of choice in selecting a school at which to further their education and prepare for the working world. More than 4,000 students receiving this grant are assisted in attending the private school of their choice.

The study by WEG, a nationally respected research group commissioned by Keiser University, found that the cost of educating an undergraduate student was no more than at a public university but with virtually all these costs being borne privately instead of publicly.

Private colleges and universities must be included in any blueprint for the state's higher education, and student aid must be available to those wishing to attend these fine institutions.

Belinda Keiser is vice chancellor of community relations and student advancement at Keiser University, a statewide institution with 13 campuses and 12,000 students. Keiser is also vice chair of Workforce Florida's Board of Directors.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT