Colo. suffers from most drastic higher-ed cuts in U.S. - Brittany Anas, Daily Camera

Colorado slashed per-student funding for major public research universities 48.3 percent between 2002 and 2010 -- after adjusting for inflation -- making the cuts the most drastic in the nation, according to a new report from the National Science Board. The report warns that foreign nations have been heavily investing in science and innovation, emerging as fierce competitors for the United States. Nationally, states reduced per-student funding for major public research universities 20 percent during the last decade, according to the report. "We're shooting ourselves in the foot because we've been the leader internationally in the STEM fields," said University of Colorado Provost Stein Sture. "This is the wrong way for the state and the nation to invest. It's just a matter of time before we fall behind." Colorado ranks among the lowest states in public funding while CU is a nationally recognized leader in producing educators in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).