HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 67

(By Delegates Walters, Skaff, Fleischauer, Frich, Pasdon and Marshall)

Recognizing that any additional cuts to the funding for higher educational institutions would be detrimental to the growth and the financial well-being 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 educational 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 three-fold the rate of inflation since 1960; and

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

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

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    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 educational institutions will result in significant economic benefits; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor of West Virginia.