March 4, 2010
The Brunswick News and The Associated Press
University chancellor proposes cuts, tuition hike.
Georgia lawmakers were urged Wednesday in Atlanta to soften the blows to public colleges and universities, which face up to $600 million in cuts as part of the state's budget crisis.
University system Chancellor Erroll B. Davis was grilled for two hours during the House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee hearing.
Earlier this week, the system released a plan that included closing satellite campuses, shortening library and student center hours and capping enrollment. Lawmakers have asked the state Board of Regents to plan for $300 million in additional cuts - on top of the $265 million in cuts already in the works for the next fiscal year.
The $300 million would touch all 35 colleges and universities in the University System, including College of Coastal Georgia. College President Valerie Hepburn said earlier this week that the $2.3 million she would have to trim from the budget would cost the college its four-year degree status.
Davis said tuition increases and cuts will likely be unavoidable. But he warned that the quality of public education in the state is at stake and that accessible, affordable, high- quality institutions cost money.
"The system is acutely aware of the budget situation," Davis told the panel.
"We know we have to play a part ... I will accept reality, whatever that reality is."
Lawmakers repeatedly praised the university system as a special and unique entity in the state and urged a spirit of cooperation in finding a solution that preserves the gains Georgia has made in higher education.
"Nobody wants to see draconian cuts," said Sen. Seth Harp, chair of the Senate Education committee, who asked Davis to "do the least amount of damage, with the sacrifice spread of the entire education community."
"This is a time where we have to make hard decisions," Harp said, adding that he had heard from Republican voters as he campaigns for re-election that they do not want their taxes raised.
"I'm a candidate, but I'm also a realist and a pragmatist," he said.
In Wednesday's hearing, Davis addressed a number of ideas raised in his last meeting with lawmakers, ranging from a 35 percent tuition increase to consolidating institutions and cutting employee salaries or semesters.
While a 35 percent tuition increase could generate $175 million, such a sharp rise could raise questions of affordability and access. A third of Georgia students are on the HOPE scholarship. Davis said he would prefer less of an increase or to raise tuition over time in- stead of all at once.
Davis balked at the idea of dramatic cuts to faculty and dismissed the notion that some professors earned too much.
"They are not overpaid in comparison to their peers," Davis said, adding that such professors frequently bring in millions of dollars in re- search grants. "You have to pay for intellectual capital. Otherwise, we run the risk of having our best and brightest leave in this environment."
Rep. Roger Lane, R-Darien, told The News that the state is in a financial bind. He said more than one-half the state budget is spent on education - 58 percent, including 44 percent on grades K-12 - and all other department's are already down to bare bones.
"We're going to balance out all the proposed cuts in all the different budgets," Lane said. "Those of higher priority will not be cut and those of a lower priority will be cut."
Several rural legislators had a different concern: the possible elimination of Georgia's 4-H program, which is headquartered at the University of Georgia.