Ohio Board of Regents moves forward with Enterprise University Plan

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.thelantern.com/campus/ohio-board-of-regents-moves-forward-with-enterprise-university-plan-1.2564970?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=The_Lantern_2&utm_campaign=The_Lantern_2_20118251348

A plan is in the works to deregulate all 14 Ohio public universities and to, in essence, privatize the public education system as a part of the Enterprise University plan.

Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro said public universities, Ohio State included, spend too much time and money on oversight. He said these out-of-date and unnecessary mandates cost the schools money.

"If universities can operate more nimbly, more flexibly with more freedom of action, then I think they will save money," Petro said at a Board of Regents conference. "They will have more opportunity to enact policies and procedures that will allow them to partner with businesses whether it be through research or commercialization."

Opponents of the Enterprise University plan say several aspects of the proposal are flawed.

"They could charge you more to be an engineering major and less to be a social science major," Messenger said. "The danger there is the university makes more revenue off certain programs. There's not a lot of incentive to invest in new resources, facilities and faculty for the programs that make less."

Messenger said this plan would also cut off state funding for the university, possibly demanding an increase in tuition.

Upon approval from the General Assembly, the plan could take effect next July.

[Botany]

1. Kasich is the devil