The Subcommittee on Higher Education met to discuss Budget items in the FY 2002 Budget on Friday. This Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Richard Royal, heard from various institutions and programs funded by State dollars through the Board of Regents.

Dr. Bo Ryles and others from the University of Georgia’s Department of Agriculture made a presentation about the status of the 4-H program. Dr. Ryles pointed to the many accomplishments of the program as well as the positive effect it had on children. Dr. Ryles pointed out that the program’s fundamental need was to fund county extension agents in the remaining 35 counties where there were no such agents. He explained that, due to the competitive nature of 4-H, no one agent could serve more than one county. Additionally, these extension agents need to be familiar with their respective counties. Dr. Ryles noted that 94% of 4-H program participants graduated from high school (this caught the attention of the Chairman). Some of the things which 4-H addresses include teen pregnancy, self esteem, and drug abuse.

Members of the Subcommittee were interested in who actually owns the 4-H centers around Georgia. Dr. Ryles explained that all are UGA "campuses" but that ownership varied. Rock Eagle and Waseega are owned by Georgia. The Tybee Island facility is actually owned by Chatham County and the others are on long-term leases to UGA. Additionally, it was noted that these centers have 93% of their operational costs self-funded (generated).

There are 375 extension agents in Georgia but not all of the agents are ‘cut out’ to do youth work. Requirements for positions include a master’s degree. Also, starting salary is at $35,000.

Dr. Ryles gave the priorities for the program: 1) county agents; 2) maintenance, operation, and repair funding; and 3) auditorium/dining hall repairs at Rock Eagle. Overall, the Department of Agriculture is concerned about the 2.5% cut which was done on the experiment stations in the FY 2002 Budget (it was argued that this was actually more than 3%). Also, UGA’s Department of Agriculture needs a water resource scientist and a cotton micro gin.

Maintenance and repair funding is the biggest concern. Additionally, there is concern about the eminent scholar program. Georgia Southern has a $1 million endowment used for recruitment and has four such scholars. These slots have not been funded because there are no matching State funds. This lack of matching funds is an issue for the donors. Two of the scholars are critical. The Bulloch Healthcare Foundation would be used to train nurses in rural Georgia in a four-year training program, and the Goinzuttia Chair is a leadership training position for school systems to create a better learning system. Georgia Southern’s nursing program is already among the top 5% nationally (through a master’s degree level) and all of the nursing slots are currently filled. Additionally, the school will soon open a new science and nursing building.

Funding for their work in textiles and carpets is important. It was stressed that these areas have provided economic development in the State and have provided jobs to many Georgians.

Adult literacy was one major concern. It is showing an increased number of individuals, with English as a second language, in the literacy program. Additionally, it was also concerned about cuts to maintenance and repair funding. This Department also came up short on its equipment dollar funding. Rep. Royal asked some questions concerning the Department’s efforts to train nurses. There is an LPN program at Moultrie Tech. The Department is developing RN programs in Thomasville, Columbus, and in Northwest Georgia. In each of these areas, there are major hospitals which can support the RN training programs. The Department needs to work more closely with the State’s nursing Board in order to streamline the program. Part of the problem with developing a new RN program is that many dollars are spent before the program actually gets certified to serve students due to the board requirements. These programs will also be a public-private partnership.

This entity’s concern is the inequity in the HOPE scholarship program which faces private school students which are not full-time students.