Staff editorial: Keep funding flowing

Earlier this week in Annapolis, legislators approved Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget without any additional cuts to the university. Despite massive tuition increases in university systems such as California's, in-state students will face an increase of only 3 percent. The tuition freeze will thaw after four years in order for universities to combat a decrease in state support.

But while students don't have much to fear about their tuition bill next year, there is something to be worried about: The state senate has expressed support for a spending freeze that would halt any additional state support for the university until 2012. Such an irrational step by lawmakers could make this year's increase the start of a trend instead of an outlier.

The state, much like the rest of the country, faces serious budgetary problems. But the actions of both parties in the state to shift toward fiscal policies that ignore any possible repercussions is dangerous. Not only would freezing funding for higher education open the possibility for further tuition hikes at state universities,  legislators also leave out the possibility the economy could improve, allowing the state to increase funding.

Higher education has long held the reputation as a luxury only accessible to the rich. For many schools, that may be true, but the University System of Maryland has produced a handful of schools that have become known across the nation for their quality and affordability. As O'Malley wrote on this page earlier this week, this state's universities have joined the rankings of the best and most affordable public universities in the country. That reputation could rapidly dissipate if some lawmakers get their way.

Republicans have argued that such a freeze would force the system to mind its spending. Though certainly there are still areas of the university budget that could be cut (such as travel budgets and administrative salaries), this can be done without crippling the university. It also shows a complete lack of understanding about the university system's efficiency initiative, which has been praised nationally for eliminating millions in wasteful spending.

Although a spending freeze isn't as extreme as the House of Delegates Republican Caucus' recommendation to slash more than $50 million from the system's operating budget as well as another 1,000 staff positions, it's close.

Most legislators rejected these proposals, but they shouldn't be so quick to warm up to the idea of a spending freeze. The fact remains that this university still faces massive budgetary costs. The repair backlog stands at more than $600 million. And this year's snow removal cost exceeded $1 million.

These are costs that can't always be predicted. And these figures don't even account for the costs other state universities face.

By freezing funding legislators ignore the possibility that additional costs could arise or that the state's revenue could increase — all of which would leave students footing the bill. And since legislators are repeatedly dipping into the system's reserves, there might not be extra funding around to make up the difference next time a massive storm hits.

No one wants to see this state spiral into the firestorm facing the University of California system, where student protests against a 32-percent increase in tuition have erupted into violence. Nor does anyone want to see the reputation this university has secured as a quality and affordable education crumble. Legislators have to think ahead. Times may be bad now, but they won't be forever.

Lawmakers should encourage careful spending but not with restrictive laws that ignore the possibility for change.