As a result of these developments, we're now redoubling our efforts and meeting almost daily with members of the General Assembly to reverse as best we can this difficult situation. With several other presidents, I have also met with the editorial boards of all the state's major newspapers to give them our perspectives on this situation. Their response has been gratifying. The Statehouse can't keep shorting higher education without damage to the 'seamless education' its leaders say they want. The Akron Beacon Journal , April 1, 2001.
Few things provide as high a return for the state's tax dollars as higher education.
The Cincinnati Enquirer , March 31, 2001. The Columbus Dispatch , April 1, 2001. While we continue to work vigorously on the legislative and public opinion front, we must also take a number of prudent actions in response to this situation. The cut in current state appropriations comes very late in the fiscal year, giving us little leeway in responding to the Governor's request. While we may have to re-coup these funds from units next year, this at least buys us some time.