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Senate shoots down university funding bill


A bill that would have changed the funding formula for Arizona's universities and allowed some community colleges to offer four-year degrees failed in the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday.

Rep. Laura Knaperek, R-Tempe, who sponsored the bill, said she is planning to re-introduce the legislation later this session.

"We feel strongly that it's a good thing for students," Knaperek said.

The bill would have given universities $5,600 per student and replaced the current formula that funds one teacher for every 22 students.

The University would have divvied up the $5,600 by using $5,564 per student for operations expenses and $36 for building renewal.

It passed the House of Representatives on March 14 and was making its way through the Senate but was halted in committee.

ASU testified against the bill because it was worried that letting community colleges offer baccalaureate degrees was too rash of a solution to funding woes, said ASU spokesman Scott Smith.

Knaperek said the bill was voted down because the Appropriations Committee had a difficult time understanding it.

The bill funds growth and gives the universities building renewal funds for the first time, Knaperek said.

"You would think they would be jumping for joy," she said.

Reach the reporter at michael.famiglietti@asu.edu.


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