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Surprisingly, while other states programs are suffering to a great extent due to the budget cuts, Ohio continues to receive vital funding for most of the important projects and programs. There is a bid by the Board of Regents to even push for expanded funding for the next decade. As we look closely at the manner in which the funding is utilized by the higher education system, we find many interesting aspects.

It is maybe time for the state to conduct a comprehensive re-evaluation of the method of delivering higher education here. At least $3 billion funding for the higher education in Ohio comes from its taxpayers. In spite of Governor Stickland’s orders to trim the budget due to the current crisis, Ohio universities and educational institutions have been affected much lesser than other states.  There is a strong feeling among Ohioans that spending on higher education is an investment that is well worth it in the long run both on a personal level and at the state level economic growth.

For instance, students who study and get their degrees have greater chances of earning higher wages. Colleges and universities which undertake research and other initiatives help further the benefits enjoyed by the State.
Certain minor reforms were proposed by the Board of Regents Chanceller Eric Fingerhut last year. He called for increased funding through a strategic reform plan. Certain aspects in the plan have the potential for growth in the education sector and have to be implemented immediately.

On the whole, this plan focuses on further enlarging the already existing system. For instance, it suggests increasing the number of graduating Ohioans by at least 39% by the year 2017, which actually sounds unrealistic.

The proposal seems to have completely left out the realistic Ohio demographic trends as it suggests Mahoning Valley as a location for opening a community college. This suggestion is totally out of tune considering the diminishing Ohio population and decreasing number of youngsters. In fact, this idea simply leans towards wasting resources of tax payers considering the fact that there are already quite a few private colleges offering similar programs like the community colleges.

There is a strong trend geared towards funding education not students. This is a weakness that we notice in traditional thinking on issues related to higher education. It is highly essential for Board of Regents to actually start focusing on students rather than on new buildings and programs. Students must be empowered rather than empowering bureaucrats. Higher education is funded by students and the control must lie with them. This is the only way to empower students and motivate them to perform better.

Thinking pattern in the General Assembly and higher education bureaucracy must change and take on this dimension. It is however difficult as no bureaucrat is willing to let go of his control over the higher education in the states. It is essential for Ohio to implement this kind of bold thinking and invigorate its higher education system.