Public research universities in peril – Report

They're the pride and backbone of American higher education, doing essential research and educating en masse the next generations of scientists and engineers. But a new report argues that the mission of the country's 101 major public research universities is imperilled by budget cuts amounting to a fifth of their state funding over the past decade, writes Justin Pope for Associated Press.

State support for public research universities fell 20% between 2002 and 2010, after accounting for inflation and increased enrolment of about 320,000 students nationally, according to the report published last week by the National Science Board. The organisation provides independent advice to the federal government and oversees the National Science Foundation. Ten states saw support fall 30% or more and in two – Colorado and Rhode Island – the drop was nearly 50%. Only seven states increased support.
Full report on The Seattle Times site