FAMU President James Ammons fears that the sweeping budget cuts proposed by the Florida House of Representatives will devastate the university he leads.
He’s not alone.
At 10:45 a.m. today, Ammons and Florida’s ten other public university presidents will hold a press conference at the state capitol to voice their concerns about the House budget.
Both chambers of the legislature plan to cut State University System funding. The Senate would take $250 million from the universities. The House would take twice as much - $500 million – plus another $100 million in salary reductions.
“Our universities have already lost over a quarter-billion in state support, in previous budget reductions,” said University of North Florida President John Delaney, who assists the Board of Governors with legislative affairs. “If the House takes another half-a-billion, the consequences would be more than serious. Numerous degree programs will be shut down, people will have to give up their jobs, and some branch campuses may be closed. We want to avoid that, and we know the House members do as well.”
Ammons says that if lawmakers approve the House’s proposed $22.7 million in cuts to FAMU, it could result in 200 employee layoffs, no summer school, no adjunct instructors, and no satellite campuses.
Last month, Gov. Charlie Crist responded to Florida’s revenue shortfall by instituting an emergency 15 percent budget holdback for all state agencies. FAMU may have to adopt a four-day work week, additional hiring freezes, and salary reductions as early as next week.
The latest news from the capitol isn’t good. Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach) recently confirmed that he is open to slicing deeper into the SUS budget if the House agrees to hike fees and surcharges.
They need to cut their own pay and allowances. Smh public servants. I'm makin a few calls!
ReplyDelete