With election day fewer than six weeks away, the Virginia governor's race is making more and more headlines. Republican Bob McDonnell has faced more controversy throughout his campaign than opponent Creigh Deeds, highlighted by the extensive coverage of his 1989 master's thesis. Of the more substantive issues, transportation and the economy have dominated the campaign trail. Some subjects have been pushed aside as a result.
Higher education is one of those issues. It is clearly not one of the high-profile topics and does not directly affect as many people as neglected roads or a bad economy. Still, the governor's office wields significant power when it comes to the state's public colleges, primarily in the form of financial support. The latest round of budget cuts enacted by Gov. Tim Kaine, for instance, recommended reductions of 13 to 15 percent for public colleges and universities. That plan removes about $19 million from the University's budget. Although K-12 education was largely protected from the cuts, higher education is an area governors often look to "trim the fat" when times get tough. Given colleges' and universities' ability to find alternative streams of revenue, this reaction makes sense; nevertheless, it is an unfortunate outcome that has real effects on state-supported schools. It is important for University students to stay informed about these kinds of political discussions.
Both gubernatorial candidates have unveiled plans for higher education on their respective Web sites. The distinctions between the two on this issue are less than striking. Both McDonnell and Deeds stress concerns about affordability and pledge to increase access to Virginia colleges. The need to expand science, engineering and mathematics programs also tops both candidates' lists.
Differences do exist, however. McDonnell dedicates a large portion of his platform to addressing the skyrocketing costs of college textbooks. His site references several initiatives in place at the University, including the Darden School's partnership with Amazon to pilot Kindles. These electronic reading devices, according to McDonnell, could save students $1,500 or more over the course of four years. He also applauds the University's textbook rental program, which he claims can reduce book costs by 40 to 70 percent for students. He implies such programs could serve as models for other colleges.
Deeds, on the other hand, makes no mention of textbook prices. Instead, he more explicitly lays out his goals for higher education assistance. His platform pledges to guarantee loans for up to $15,000 for students at Virginia's four-year colleges and increase need-based tuition assistance by $40 million. Deeds' most unique idea is to establish a "Virginia Promise Fund" to supplement the state's general emergency fund. For every $5 invested in the general fund, $1 will be put into the Promise Fund to "help curb tuition increases during tough economic times."
Those are campaign promises, of course, and offer only a glimpse into what a McDonnell or Deeds administration may look like. When it comes to the most potent issue, budget cuts and state funding toward public colleges, it is difficult to predict the trajectory of either candidate. No one likes admitting where money will be taken from - at least not until the election is safely in the rearview mirror. Though Democrats have traditionally funneled more money into education than Republicans, the Kaine budget cuts show that higher education reductions are not off the table for either party when a lean economy strikes.
Regardless of political preference, students should take these issues seriously. Education policy might not polarize and ignite discussion as would abortion or health care reform, but it matters significantly for the University. Now is the time to read up about the candidates' platforms, even the less flashy parts. Election day - Nov. 3 - is just around the corner.
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