AIC will survive, Likins says

In Phoenix to pitch the 1999 University of Arizona budget proposal to lawmakers, Likins said Arizona International College of the UA will receive full financial support as it moves to the UA main campus next summer and through 1999.

Gov. Jane Hull and the Legislature's budget proposals both called for steep AIC budget cuts.

"No matter what they do now, there is sufficient funding for AIC," Likins said, adding things would be easier if state funding was forthcoming.

"It would spare me the burden of funding it from elsewhere," he added.

Likins said he supported AIC's mission of providing a four-year liberal arts college education to Arizonans as the number of college-bound high school graduates increases into the next century.

Likins asked that the funding remain flat at $2.8 million, like this year and last.

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommended a $1.1 million funding cut and Gov. Jane Hull's proposal asked for a $2 million AIC cut.