Once a focal point of Gov. Bob Taft’s inaugural speech in early January, the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and the Economy finally kicked off yesterday in Columbus – nearly five months after its inception.

The public learned then the commission was going to include a collection of influential Ohio political, educational, economic and business leaders around Ohio. The governor’s intentions were for the commission “to recommend within a year how to improve the quality of our higher education, increase efficiencies, eliminate unnecessary duplication, broaden the use of technology and determine how higher education can most effectively support the state’s economy,” according to the inaugural address made six months ago.

The commission was formally named on Monday, with Ohio State President Karen Holbrook serving as one of the key members from the academic arena.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the worthwhile opportunity to examine some of the real issues facing higher education,” Holbrook said. “It’s an honor to be a part of such a talented group of individuals that want to improve the condition of higher education.”

The governor has been adamant about higher education’s role in shaping Ohio economically.

“This commission will allow Ohio to secure a maximum return on our higher education investment and enhance the quality of life for all Ohioans,” Taft said. “We must ensure that Ohio’s system of higher education operates effectively and productively to meet the needs of students and their families…”

Holbrook said the governor issued three main points of emphasis as part of his charge to the committee.

* To state the goals for higher education, including the principal needs for students and employers.

* To examine the structure of how higher education is funded and governed.

* To ensure each individual is held accountable in meeting the commission’s goals.

Holbrook said Taft wants to make the commission the hallmark of his second gubernatorial term. When asked about the most critical aspect of the commission in her eyes, Holbrook said her focus would be on looking at how students can successfully get in and get out of college in the most efficient time.

One major concern facing the commission is the seemingly endless cuts higher education funding has sustained in the past three years. According to the Board of Regents financial report, higher education has lost $313.6 million in the last three years due to cuts passed down from the governor and the legislature.

The last cut to higher education came in March when the governor signed an executive order to cut $39.2 million to alleviate a statewide deficit of more than $162 million. OSU was the biggest loser in that budget battle, with the state ultimately slashing $7.7 million of instructional aid. Cuts similar to these have resulted in tuition increases, significant layoffs and class reductions at universities across Ohio. As has often been the case in Ohio, the legislature has looked no farther than education funding share the burden of their budget predicaments.

Holbrook said Taft urged the commission to look towards other states’ educational situation as potential models to emulate.

Sen. Eric Fingerhut, a newly appointed member to the commission, is aware of the challenges facing Ohio’s education quality.

“The committee will work together to state clearly that higher education cannot be the engine to our economy if it is not funded adequately,” said Fingerhut, a Democrat from Shaker Heights.

“We are falling behind nationally because of our economic decline. If we are to succeed, we must link higher education as a catalyst to economic growth,” he said.

Board of Regents Chancellor Roderick Chu is looking forward to help the committee in improving higher education.

“Ohio must better educate more of its citizens, develop a more highly skilled, continuously learning workforce and reap the benefits of research and commercialization to be competitive with other states who already have taken this course,” Chu said.

Cleveland civic and business leader Richard Pogue will serve as the committee chair. Besides serving on a number of corporate and civic boards, Pogue also is a public trustee of the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education.

All eyes will now shift to senate budget bill and its statewide school allocation. Expected to be voted out of the senate finance committee on today, the bill might procure a senate vote by tomorrow.