October 02, 2010 10:08 PM UTC

Using Educational Resources Wisely

• 1 Comments
• by: Robert "BC" Bishop-Cotner

Some say we simply need to “cut the waste.”

Those in education say there is little fat left to cut.

The issue:  State and Federal funding for education is decreasing annually.  School systems from kindergarten to universities in Colorado are struggling to keep the lights on, the heating systems functioning, books in the classroom, and still provide quality educational programs.

The answer:  We must maximize our current educational resources. Everything has to be on the table; all ideas must be considered. By pooling resources, using creativity, and exploring paths not yet identified, we still have a chance of continuing to provide outstanding educational opportunities for Colorado’s future.

We have excellent junior and community colleges in this state facing the same financial struggles as the larger universities. We must build stronger partnerships with these institutions. Current technology allows us the ability to stream a live broadcast anywhere in the world; why not to the eastern plains, or the western slope?  Students from around the state could attend the local junior college but take courses with a CU professor. Agreements between institutions can be developed such that CU gets the salary of their professor covered and the junior college gets to keep the tuition dollars from students attending the course.

Intercollegiate collaboration such as this not only strengthens the entire educational system, but also helps maintain lower tuition costs for students. Students benefit by attending CU courses without the cost (monetary or emotional) of being far from home. CU benefits by getting professor’s salary covered for the course, freeing funds for other expenses on campus, and reducing need for classroom space. Junior colleges benefit by having the ability to offer live CU courses at their campus.

Students who successfully complete a junior college program should be guaranteed admission to our four-year universities, if that is the path they chose to follow. Students benefit from knowing they will have an easy transfer to higher university programs; universities benefit from guaranteed enrollments and future tuition dollars.

Solutions to affordable education, such as raising taxes or cutting student scholarships, are not the type of non-creative solutions Colorado needs. Decisions will not be easy, but proven leadership through crisis will provide the strength necessary to meet these challenges head on.  I am the candidate for CU Regent with the education, the real-world experience, and the passion to seek solutions Colorado needs. This time I’m ready for comments.

To learn more about my goals and ambitions for Colorado education, go to www.bc4cu.com.