SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18

(By Senators Prezioso, Plymale, Edgell, Unger,

 Stollings, Laird, Kessler (Mr. President), Snyder, Jenkins, McCabe, Beach, Fitzsimmons and D. Hall)

Recognizing that any additional cuts to the funding for higher education institutions would be detrimental to the growth and the financial wellbeing of West Virginia.

    Whereas, Tuition rates have risen five to ten percent each year, both within the state and nationwide; and

    Whereas, Future cuts to higher education would perpetuate the perplexing problem of tuition rate increases, making higher education less accessible to West Virginia students; and

    Whereas, Retention rates among West Virginia higher education institutions are falling, and higher tuition rates will continue the downward trend of students not completing their two-year and four-year degrees; and

    Whereas, Textbook prices have risen threefold the rate of inflation since 1960; and

    Whereas, Last year’s seven and one-half percent cuts created fiscal hurdles for West Virginia higher education institutions during a time of economic instability; and

    Whereas, West Virginia’s higher education institutions give a substantial return on investment for every dollar spent; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Legislature hereby recognizes that any additional cuts to the funding for higher education institutions would be detrimental to the growth and the financial wellbeing of West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That budgetary cuts to higher education in West Virginia will not help the serious economic and educational issues that face the state, nor would cuts allow an optimal return on investment; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That to achieve a modern and robust economy, educational investment must be a priority; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That maintaining reasonable tuition rates that are directly correlated to the retention rates among students in higher education institutions will result in significant economic benefits; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor of West Virginia.