Legislature hears AIC's supporters

PHOENIX - The survival of the Arizona International Campus of the UA topped discussion yesterday as the three state universities began two days in the spotlight of the State Legislature.

The House Committee on Appropriations heard the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the governor's office on the three universities' budgets.

The more than four-hour hearing was held before 75 people.

The JLBC recommendations included a footnote that would close AIC in October if it did not have 300 full-time equivalent students.

Celestino Fern ndez, AIC executive vice-president and provost, said before the hearing that the campus had planned to have 300 students next year, but would find it difficult with the ultimatum. He said he does not expect the recommendation to be approved .

"We're giving them one more chance," said John Lee, JLBC analyst. He said the option of eliminating the campus altogether had been considered.

Later, University of Arizona President Manuel Pacheco said the recommendation would not have a desirable affect on the campus.

"I can't imagine a parent wanting to send a student to an institution that has the kind of Damoclean sword over it," Pacheco said. He urged support of the Arizona Board of Regents plan that gives the school three years to have 500 students.

Rep. Jean McGrath, R-Glendale, said she did not understand why taxpayers should support the campus when the UA had just experienced a decline in enrollment.

"I see absolutely no need for this whatsoever," McGrath said. She said she would like to have AIC eliminated in the current fiscal 1998 budget.

Two AIC freshman tried to explain the importance of the campus in their lives.

"There's a real feeling of excitement when you go to AIC," said Kelly Munns, AIC history freshman.

Marco Lopez, AIC political science freshman, told the committee that threatening elimination would not help it reach 300 students.

"Where will I go on October 1?" Lopez said.

As of 5:30 p.m., the committee had not taken action on the budget proposals.

In other business:

• McGrath urged Arizona State University and UA to sell their research parks.

  "It's only socialized countries that find it appropriate for governments to compete (with private enterprise)," she said.

  Pacheco and ASU President Lattie Coor told the committee they did not see the universities as competitors with the private sector.

  The UA Science and Technology Park merges the strengths of the private sector and the university, Pacheco said.

  Barry Wong, R-Phoenix, said the universities should not accept research park tenants who do not fit in with that philosophy.

• Lee said another JLBC goal is to increase the amount of time faculty spend in the classroom, with a bonus for professors who teach nine hours or more.

  Lee said he blamed "faculty culture" for the lack of time professors spend teaching. He said it was the "8,000 pound gorilla" of the university system.

  "They're all part of it," Lee said.

  Although they agreed with merit-based pay increases, Pacheco and Coor said it was not fair to measure professor-student interaction by the credit hour.

  Pacheco said that for the one-credit seminar he teaches, he spends an average of about six hours a week involved in teaching.