Higher ed crunch arrives, right on time

We can't say we weren't warned about the current crisis facing Washington's higher-education system now struggling to keep up with demand.

Four years ago, the 2020 Commission on the Future of Post-Secondary Education warned of an impending crunch in Washington's colleges and universities as the population grew and more people chose the benefits of an education after high school. The Higher Education Coordinated Board reminded in its 2000 master plan that, in 10 years, 70,000 more full-time-equivalent students — enough to fill two University of Washington campuses — would be seeking enrollment in the state's higher-education system.

And the crunch has arrived just as state lawmakers reduced support for higher education by $65 million.

During the last academic year, universities enrolled 87,970 full-time-equivalent students, which is about 3,450 more than the state budget covered, according to the Office of Financial Management. The state Board for Community College and Technical Colleges said its 34 colleges enrolled 9,400 more than the 123,700 the state covered.

Although many colleges pay for extra students with other sources of funding, higher-education observers say the demand has outpaced these other resources. Universities have raised tuition and are making do by increasing class sizes.

But that's a solution that won't last long, especially considering the added burden on instructors who often are paid less than counterparts at peer institutions in other states. Already, many college departments report a brain drain as professors are lured away.

Washington needs more college-educated workers with special skills. In its 2001 work force study, the Washington Software Alliance noted the state's universities graduated 1,125 students with degrees in computer science or related areas in 1999-2000. By comparison, the industry was expecting almost 2,600 new jobs in the next two years.

So here we are, face to face with the enrollment crisis predicted for several years. Our universities are turning away some students, shortchanging others with larger class sizes, losing instructors, boosting tuition, while the Legislature cut funding.

Although our state continues to face difficult economic times, the Legislature should not consider further cutting back higher-education funding. Washington state has invested the past eight years in sweeping K-12 education reform, raising academic standards to produce more capable graduates. The state has established "Washington Promise Scholarships" — two years at a state university for high-achieving graduates of public schools — a program proposed in the 2020 Commission report.

Successful high-school graduates should be able to get a first-rate and affordable college education right here in Washington state.