Regents approve Prop. 301 budget plans

By Katie Clark

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Funding will go toward science, technology

In what Regent Jack Jewett called a "big movement," the Arizona Board of

Regents unanimously passed Proposition 301 budget plans for Arizona's three state universities.

"This is the kind of thing that happens only once in a president's career,"

said University of Arizona President Peter Likins after the plans were

approved at Friday's ABOR meeting.

The Arizona University System, which consists of UA, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University, will be receiving an estimated $45.6 million to $54.8 million from Prop 301's 0.6 percent sales tax revenue increase, which Arizona voters approved in November.

The UA's share is an estimated $16.3 to $20.1 million, and will primarily go toward biotechnology, bioscience, information technology, optics, water, and math and science teacher preparation.

Likins said the money should start coming in at the start of the fiscal year in August.

"I'm ecstatic," said UA Provost George Davis. "A lot of work went into this (approval)."

Davis said more than 100 faculty members worked on the budget plans since Prop. 301 was approved.

"Part of the pleasure is that the three universities worked so well together," he said. "This is the culmination of a lot of hard work."

Davis said the decision by the Arizona State Legislature to use Prop. 301 money in the areas of science and technology will benefit the UA on many levels, including enhancing teaching and research as well as create a closer relationship with the local and national business community. A positive impact on federal grant money for UA is also anticipated.

"(The state) leadership looked around the nation and saw what other states are doing and recognized that those kinds of investments triggered partnerships with the business community," Davis said. "The economy will prosper."

"The result is that more students will graduate in more areas key to the new economy areas," he added.

Davis said in making the plans, all areas in the university were examined to see how the university as a whole would benefit.

"The challenge is to have all this happen while at the same time staying true to the U of A's mission," he said, adding that he did not foresee any problems with other areas at the university as a result of the new funding.

Also approved at the meeting: