Colorado universities and colleges want $161.4 million more. Can they also make cuts to become more efficient?

For the third yr in a row, Colorado’s public faculty and college leaders have written a letter to the state legislature’s highly effective Joint Funds Committee asking for extra money than what’s proposed in Gov. Jared Polis’ finances.

Polis desires to extend Colorado’s increased schooling finances subsequent fiscal yr by $42.7 million. Within the letter, 15 faculty and college leaders requested for quadruple the rise: $130.8 million extra for his or her operations subsequent yr, plus one other $30.6 million for state monetary assist. The December letter says the cash will assist colleges enhance worker pay and battle inflation without having to make cuts. In any other case, they’ll want to boost tuition past 2% for in-state and 6% for out-of-state college students.

The decision for extra money comes after Polis stated he would work with faculties and universities to maintain tuition low and create “larger effectivity,” particularly in administrative prices and making certain state cash goes towards instruction. The Joint Funds Committee has the ultimate say on whether or not to extend the funding past the governor’s request. They’ve supplied colleges with extra money past Polis’ proposal within the final two years.