During the 1998 sessions, legislative activity in many western states was generally less intense for higher education than in previous years. All of the seven states reviewed in this edition received larger higher education appropriations in FY 98 than in FY 97. Budget shares in the states, however, tended to decline. Fall 1998 tuition and fees increased from 2 percent to 8.5 percent in two-year institutions in most of these states. Increases in undergraduate resident tuition in four-year institutions will range from 1 to 9.3 percent-a somewhat lower range than seen last year. The extent of increases in four-year nonresident tuition will be from less than 1 percent to 5.5 percent. Access and faculty were key issues addressed this year. Governance issues surfaced in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, and Washington.

Introduction

This issue of Policy Insights reviews legislative activity in the 1998 session and board action in FY 98 for seven western states: Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. A summary of actions in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Oregon will be published in September 1998.

This issue of Policy Insights was prepared by Cheryl Blanco, Director of Policy and Information. WICHE gratefully acknowledges assistance from legislative staff and staff in State Higher Education Executive Offices in Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming in the preparation of this report.

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education -- WICHE -- promotes and facilitates resource sharing, collaboration, and cooperative planning among western states and their colleges and universities. This includes communicating research information and policy analysis on vital issues in higher education to education and government policymakers. Member and affiliated states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
P.O. Box 9752
Boulder, CO 80301-9752
David Longanecker, Executive Director
Cheryl D. Blanco, Director, Policy and Information
Tel: (303) 541-0224 FAX: (303) 541-0291
E-mail: Policy@wiche.edu