Western Joins Colorado Funding Conversation

Western Colorado University is joining the conversation among state higher education leaders regarding Colorado’s funding formula and equity.

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Baca was one of four panelists during “Colorado Funding Formula: Through an Equity Lens.” The event held March 16 was hosted by the Colorado Trustee Network (CTN), a newly formed advocacy group for institutions of higher learning.

Speaking on the Issues

CTN has brought together trustees throughout the state to “to speak with one voice on issues such as Colorado’s overall investment in higher education, the equity gap and the alignment of post-secondary education to career/workforce opportunities to improve outcomes for students and to strengthen our economy and communities,” its website states. CTN is focused on addressing post-secondary funding and resources, the equity gap and alignment of post-secondary education to the work force.

Focusing on Equity

Now, as higher education faces even greater financial impacts from a global pandemic, universities are endeavoring to avoid tuition hikes despite funding gaps. This first event by CTN set the stage on how funding is distributed to institutions.

“The Colorado Commission on Higher Education is squarely focused on solving the equity gap and so there will be a lot of attention in this session on how the formula provides incentives to institutions to better serve underrepresented populations,” said Baca, prior to the event.

Joining the Discussion

Joining Baca for the discussion was Andy Feinstein, President of the University of Northern Colorado; Todd Saliman, Senior Vice President for Strategy, Government Relations and Chief Financial Officer of the University of Colorado; and Martha Snyder, Senior Director, HCM Strategists and national expert on higher education funding.

Learn more about Western’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Internationalization.

 

 

Author Credit: Chris Rourke

Photo Credit: Western Marketing