Citing a steady decline in state fundraising for higher education, the University’s future success will rely more and more on private fundraising from the ‘Building Dreams’ campaign, according to President Sidney Ribeau in his ‘State of the University’ address on Friday.

One concern Ribeau expressed was that the University’s budget has been shrinking over the years, and he expects that trend to continue.

‘At one time state support was at 60 to 65 percent of what it cost to run the University, and now it’s about a third of what it cost to run the University,’ Ribeau said. ‘In a ten year time period we have gone from a state-funded institution, where the majority of our support comes from the state, to a state-assisted one, where it is around 30 percent and declining as I speak.’

Erin Keller, a member of the University’s administrative staff, said she thought hearing Ribeau speak about the possible changes in the way the University could be funded was important.

‘I think the most important thing he discussed was how the state is planning on changing the way we are being funded,’ Erin said.

Ribeau showed his displeasure over the lack of funding for higher education by pointing out how much more money the government is spending on the military.

‘The defense department currently maintains that it is spending $4.5 billion a month on the conflict in Iraq, or about $100,000 per minute,’ Ribeau said. ‘One of the things we are fighting for … is $30 million in additional state share of instruction for 25 community colleges and 15 state institutions, for almost 40 institutions it comes to less than a $1 million per institution.’

Ribeau believes that the University is in good shape now, but just a little more funding could make things that much better.

‘The news I have today is good news about the state of Bowling Green State University and what we’re doing with the resources that we have, but just a little bit of funding for higher education would give us a greater return on the quality of life for our citizens’hellip;’ Ribeau said.

He also touted the University’s learning communities and the BGeXperience, which have been nationally recognized.

‘For the third consecutive year in a row, the U.S. News and World Report cited BGSU as one of the best schools in the nation for our exceptional learning communities,’ said Ribeau, adding that BGeX was also cited by U.S. News and World Report for quality first-year programming.

Ribeau believes the learning communities and the first-year programs are a key reason for student retention rates growing.

Last year, the University’s student retention rate was 79.1 percent, the highest it had been in 12 years, he said.

‘This, I believe, is a significant achievement, and is indicative that our investment in learning communities and first-year programs is paying off,’ Ribeau said.

Recent data shows that the average retention rate of students who participate in at least one of the University’s first-year program initiatives is 83.1 percent, compared to a 63.8 percent retention rate for students who do not participate in any of the first-year programs, he said.

Ribeau also discussed what a success ‘Building Dreams,’ the University’s centennial campaign, has been so far.

‘Our centennial campaign, ‘Building Dreams,’ is making excellent progress toward our fund-raising goal of $120 million,’ Ribeau said. ‘So far, we have raised 76 percent of our target goal, for a total of $91 million, as of Dec. 31, 2005. We are now in the 42nd month of a 78-month campaign.’

Andrea Gutierrez, a staff member in the University’s co-op internship office, enjoyed Ribeau’s speech and felt she learned how to establish skills that can make a difference in the world.

‘His speech was well-prepared, delivered, and I learned a lot,’ Andrea said. ‘He spoke about how University employees like me can develop skills to impact the nation.’

Ribeau closed his speech with an optimistic statement about how he believes the University will meet the changes in higher education.

‘The higher education landscape is changing throughout our region, state, and across the nation,’ Ribeau said. ‘However if we remain focused on our mission and vision I believe that Bowling Green State University will be well-poised to meet the challenges that lie ahead.’