WHEREAS State budget difficulties have led to drastic budget cuts to colleges and universities throughout Colorado in recent years; and
WHEREAS Club 20 continues to believe strongly in the importance to the West Slope economy of Colorado Mesa University, Western Colorado University, Fort Lewis College, Colorado Mountain College, and Colorado Northwestern Community College; and
WHEREAS the Colorado Commission of Higher Education (CCHE) master plan outlines statewide goals for education attainment, students’ success, closing the attainment gap with underserved populations and developing financial resources to fund Colorado’s decentralized system of higher education; and
WHEREAS Western Colorado’s higher education institutions, including community colleges, play an important role in providing an educated workforce; and
WHEREAS previous funding methodologies for colleges and universities have failed to account for factors crucial to Western Colorado colleges and universities such as enrollment growth and student demographics, program development, broadband access, online education, and capital improvements.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Club 20 insists that future funding mechanisms for Colorado colleges and universities recognize the unique role and mission of each institution while seeking to achieve the goals contained in the CCHE master plan, namely to educate as many Coloradoans as possible.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Club 20 supports equitable funding of higher education to maintain quality facilities and affordable tuition rates.
Adopted 3/5/1993
Amended 4/ 3/2009
Amended 3/28/2014
Amended 9/21/19