When Enterasys Networks announced last week that it was moving to Massachusetts, New Hampshire public universities were somewhat insulted.
In their parting comments, company officials said they would be moving closer to a "premiere academic center."
The slap in the face comes at a time when New Hampshire's higher education system is trying to serve a growing enrollment, with cuts in state spending.
Enterasys officials say the move to Andover makes sense for the company.
Drew Miale is a company spokesman.
Going forward, we want to be identified with the legacy of the Massachusetts 128 area for being a hotbed for high tech talent and I think that association is going to help us in attracting new talent as we go forward.
Enterasys is leaving behind a public university system in New Hampshire with more than 30,000 students.
Some of those students are training to become engineers and technicians.
But officials at the University System of New Hampshire say science facilities at its three campuses in Keene, Plymouth and Durham need renovations.
David Deziel is vice chancellor of the university system.
He says the remaining upgrades will cost 96 million dollars.
11 228 we have buildings that were built in the 1930?s, 1940?s, renovated in the 1960?s, and really haven?t had a major renovation since. Those needs are still there. 11 241
Governor Craig Benson?s budget has made no provision for these renovations.
And the governor has asked the universities and community technical colleges to trim spending by 5 percent.
Governor Benson says he?s asking virtually every department to cut spending because of the state?s revenue shortages.
we?ve had to make some tough choices in this budget. I?ve been very, very clear about that. University budget stepped up 29% in the last biennium. And we?ve pretty much held everybody but health and human services to that standard. We asked them to come in at 95% of this year?s level. :17
A Legislative committee is considering restoring some of the money the governor cut to the university system?s budget.
The system had about 550 million dollars in operating expenses during the last fiscal year.
About 25 percent of that budget came from the state.
The rest of the money came from grants and student tuition.
David Deziel of the university system says this mix makes New Hampshire a costly place for a student.
20 53 in terms of in state tuition, we are one of the more expensive public college and university systems in the country. 20 103 Unh ranks in the high 40?s in terms of that.
The New Hampshire Post Secondary Education Commission makes financial aid available to about five thousand students.
Katherine Dodge of the commission says she thinks New Hampshire needs to spend more to send financially strapped people to college.
01 32 currently, our state grant program provides assistance to students who come from families with a twenty-one thousand dollar income level. We need to get that up at least to the federal standard of 24,000?
Rising college costs in New Hampshire have driven increasing numbers of students to the Community Technical College system.
The 11 campuses have seen enrollment grow more than 50 percent in the last 3 years.
These two-year colleges need funds to update their aging buildings.
At the same time, they are holding the line on tuition at about 3,000 dollars a year.
John O?Donnell is Commissioner of the state?s Community Technical College System.
He says with budget cuts looming, he?s looking outside the state for needed funds.
26 42 we have just received for instance, 1.4 million in federal support and that is sen sununu and sen gregg to advance our hi tech programs at the emerging technologies center. 26 115
Coincidentally, that Emerging Technologies Center received funds from Cabletron.
The company, founded by then entepreneur Craig Benson, split into four companies, including Enterasys?..
And Enterasys will soon be heading to Massachusetts.
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