Ohio’s Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency is expected to issue its report tomorrow (Thurs) on ways that state colleges and universities can reduce spending.
The effort comes out of an executive order issued by Governor Kasich in February.
State Impact Ohio’s Mark Urycki reports it may produce a smaller, and partly privatized system of higher education.
Governor Kasich warned that if state schools don’t cut their costs he will. In January each school will have to submit a 5 year plan to reduce costs and increase quality.
In some draft recommendations, the Task Force suggests such things as selling off school assets, privatizing non-academic operations, and eliminating low enrollment programs or those that are duplicated at a nearby college.
Ohio Chancellor John Carey says the state can help too with things like statewide purchasing.
“At the same time the legislature and the governor appropriated more money for higher education so while we’re trying to make student education available, we’re trying to get more value out of the dollars that we’re investing. “
Funding for higher education increased $200 million dollars or 8% in the latest budget.
While the Governor’s task force sets no specific targets, the Ohio Senate has. They demand that schools cut costs by 5%. School officials have to report by October 15 th how they’re going to do that.