Regents, state legislators discuss privatization, funding tactics

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Summer Wildcat Regent John Munger holds a discussion with legislative officials at a meeting held in the Arizona Ballroom yesterday. He objected to legislators' frequent attacks on Arizona International College.

But at several points, the conversation diverged as Regent John Munger aired personal complaints about the previous treatment of his colleagues and himself when appealing to the Arizona Legislature for funding to support Arizona International College.

"I will say, very frankly, that we have not received a very friendly welcome from the staff of the Legislature," he said. "They have frequently attacked it (AIC), they never understood it and they always made an effort to undermine it."

More than 25 people watched the conference in the Memorial Student Union Arizona Ballroom yesterday afternoon as Rep. Marion Pickens (D-District 14), Rep. Dan Schottel (R-District 12) and Sen. George Cunningham (D-District 13), along with two Legislature candidates, Bobby Lugo and Andy Morales, fielded Munger's complaints.

Munger also voiced his objection to the Legislature's decision to award $13 million to Arizona State University to build "ASU East Campus," while the University of Arizona requested $2.2 million for AIC and was turned down.

"I think there were political factors and that's why people were trying to sabotage it," said Regent Hank Amos.

Getting to the intended topic after a rundown of the their personal backgrounds, the conference members discussed privatization of businesses on university campuses and financial burdens on students and colleges.

Amos followed Munger's lead and began criticizing the actions of state officials.

"The Legislature passed a measure a long time ago saying that education should be as nearly free as possible and the Legislature hasn't been owning up to that so it's been falling back on us," Amos said.

Munger went on to say that the board of regents will use more subtle negotiation tactics. If the board needs a 7 percent increase in funding, they will not ask for 20 percent in hopes that the original 7 percent will be agreed upon later, he said.

"The days of the regents coming in the door to flimflam the Legislature are over," he said. "We don't do that anymore."

The group then discussed the possibilities of privatization of everything from the Memorial Student Union to residence hall construction.

"The reason we don't have more residence halls and more fancy residence halls is because we don't have the money," Munger said. "If a private company comes in and says that there would be no added cost to students, why not do it?"

Amos, referring to the Student Union operations, said the UA is not and should not be in the food business.

"Overall, I think privatization is good," Amos said. "It will make us more efficient and more competitive."