Tuition increase and layoffs up to Board
In two open staff forums held Sept. 30, Dorothy Leland, president of Georgia College & State University, discussed the possibility of a mid-year tuition increase and possible layoffs to aid the recent $1 million statewide university system budget cuts.
“Institutions aren’t their buildings, or even their budgets,” Leland began, “but it’s the people that make things happen.”
Leland said the main question is what the Board of Regents will allow GC&SU to change in light of recent cuts. The board is scheduled to make final decisions about appropriating budget funds at their upcoming meeting in late October.
Leland said there are three ways the university could become less dependent on state funds and, therefore, be less affected by cuts: increased revenue from auxiliary services, like the bookstore and dining hall; grants and contracts; and support from private donations and corporations.
Leland said all three options are top priorities, but emphasized the need for private and corporate donations-even if it means her being away from campus for the purpose of raising monetary support.
Students will most likely be asked to pay a mid-year tuition increase of about 10 percent which will take care of about half of the budget deficit. Leland said Georgia’s tuition is among the lowest in the South, even considering the proposed hike.
“While this will be a burden on some of our students, we’re still a pretty good deal,” said Leland. “Our tuition is way below the national average and of the16 states in the southern region, we are the 14th lowest out of 16.”
One staff question addressed the petition students are signing concerning the tuition increase. Leland said the petition does not focus as much on the increase as it does the amount universities are requiring to make up because of the cuts.
“Most of the students I have spoken to are supportive,” said Leland.”They understand that our tuition is reasonable.”
Leland said the other half of the cuts will be handled by lessening GC&SU staff.
“Work force reduction can occur in three ways: retirement, new positions and refilling positions when a staff member leaves, and the third, least desirable way-layoffs,” Leland said.
Though Leland stressed that layoffs would be a last resort, some staff might loose their jobs if the board deems it necessary.
GC&SU Athletic Director Stan Aldridge asked about the possibility of pay cuts for faculty and staff who receive a salary above a certain amount in order to save positions. Leland said the issue has been discussed and will be addressed as soon as she learns what the board will allow.
Leland said she believed GC&SU could handle the cuts without layoffs.
“We value our people so very much, so we will attempt to avoid these at all costs,” said Leland, “I am hopeful that we will be able to.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 8 2004. Filed under News.
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