By Michael A. Gerber

Georgia voters recognize that high quality colleges and universities are critical to our state’s future. In a poll released today, they say clearly that higher education strengthens Georgia’s job base, economic development and national reputation.

In fact, voters want to minimize budget cuts to higher ed, even during difficult times. And they support funding – even from their own pockets – for better college programs and student financial aid.

Poll results show that state officials have an opportunity to exercise leadership that can position Georgia for growth when it exits the recession. Strategic investments in academic programs and research can continue to attract smart students, scholars and researchers from around the world who add to our productivity and tax base and help grow businesses that pay good salaries.  As University System Chancellor Erroll Davis has been saying, higher education is not an expense, but a critical investment in the state’s future.

Conducted by the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education, the poll surveyed 600 registered Georgia voters in November and December. The numbers tell the story:

Nearly all voters recognize that a college education is key to individual success, and nearly all agree higher ed is important to economic growth and the state’s quality of life.

Almost two-thirds are willing to pay $1 more a week in taxes to enhance the quality of education for college students.

A majority favor increasing tuition at public institutions to support academic programs and student aid. About half would suspend “fixed for four” tuition at public colleges to avoid program cuts that lower educational quality.

Seventy-eight percent support using lottery surplus funds for new need-based student assistance. More than half would pay $1 more per week in taxes to fund student aid.

Voters say we have great colleges and universities here. They want Georgia to be a national higher ed leader, but they’re not quite sure we’re there yet.

Nearly eight in 10 rate the quality of the state’s public and private four-year colleges and universities as excellent or good.

Ninety-three percent say it’s important for Georgia to be a national leader in college quality. Forty-nine percent agree Georgia is currently a leader, 37 percent disagree, and 14 percent don’t know.

Nearly all voters agree scientific research matters: 88 percent say it’s important to the state’s economy, 89 percent think the state should invest in research to create new jobs, and 79 percent agree Georgia should offer financial incentives to attract new research labs and companies.

This is a time of tough budget decisions for state leaders. But as Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam Williams observed recently, our region’s colleges and universities – like our airport and portfolio of corporate headquarters – are assets we’ve built through years of strategic investment. It’s time to leverage these assets as part of our state’s economic recovery. There’s little doubt that Georgia voters would agree.

Michael A. Gerber is president of the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education, which brings together 19 public and private colleges and universities. View the full poll.