With Florida Senate and House budget negotiations continuing, the State University System is slated to lose a total of 10.5 percent in recurring revenue. That adds up to $211 million.
The Board of Governors estimates that when federal stimulus dollars and tuition increases are added, the SUS’ total budget will experience a net increase of $20 million or one percent.
The projections about tuition revenue at FAMU are highly questionable. Most FAMU students take smaller course loads whenever college gets more expensive. Pell grant increases have not reversed that trend.
Originally, both chambers of the legislature planned to cut more from public universities. The Senate proposed a $250 million cut. The House wanted to take twice as much - $500 million – plus another $100 million in salary reductions.
Lawmakers revisited the proposed spending plans after vigorous protests and pleas from students, parents, faculty, and SUS presidents across Florida.
The current budget reflects the legislature’s long-established pattern of raising tuition in one hand and cutting higher education appropriations in the other.
Opinion: SUS leaders chose poor lobbying strategy
Rattler lawmakers square off with Crist over stimulus
Ammons joins SUS leaders in pleading against cuts
Legislature lights another budget bomb for SUS
The Board of Governors estimates that when federal stimulus dollars and tuition increases are added, the SUS’ total budget will experience a net increase of $20 million or one percent.
The projections about tuition revenue at FAMU are highly questionable. Most FAMU students take smaller course loads whenever college gets more expensive. Pell grant increases have not reversed that trend.
Originally, both chambers of the legislature planned to cut more from public universities. The Senate proposed a $250 million cut. The House wanted to take twice as much - $500 million – plus another $100 million in salary reductions.
Lawmakers revisited the proposed spending plans after vigorous protests and pleas from students, parents, faculty, and SUS presidents across Florida.
The current budget reflects the legislature’s long-established pattern of raising tuition in one hand and cutting higher education appropriations in the other.
Opinion: SUS leaders chose poor lobbying strategy
Rattler lawmakers square off with Crist over stimulus
Ammons joins SUS leaders in pleading against cuts
Legislature lights another budget bomb for SUS