With talk of dark clouds and uncertainty looming over the state’s higher education budget, one thing is certain: The University is running out of fat.
With budget cuts of the expected magnitude, University students could face an array of changes from raises in tuition and fees, larger classrooms and postponed renovation projects to eliminated degree programs and college closures, said Jane Cassidy, vice provost for human resources and facilities management.
“We’ve had so many budget cuts over the past five years that all the low-hanging fruit is already gone,” Cassidy said. “Right now, we’re in a place where we can provide the type of education that we want to provide our students. There’s not much left before we start cutting into that.”
While the state’s budget is still early in the development process, University officials are working with the legislature to ensure the loss of state support will not be as dramatic as previously announced.
For Baton Rouge resident Anna Simmons, who will resume her education at the University in fall 2015, legislators should be willing to cut other projects, like industry benefits.
“We have a booming media business here, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of our education,” Simmons said. “[The University] is our state school and should be a top priority, not making movies.”
Government officials notified higher education institutions in the state to prepare for at least a $300 million financial reduction for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
However, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reported Jan. 27 this number could increase by $50 million to $100 million because of the state’s reduced revenues from the recent drop in oil prices.
“We got a University president and a provost, as well as a group of external constituents, who are working really hard to try to mitigate these cuts,” Cassidy said. “I know for sure that’s happening on a daily basis. We’ve got people who are meeting with anybody who will listen.”
The University’s operating budget, Cassidy said, comprises 85 percent personnel expenses and 15 percent equipment expenses.
Cutting from the non-personnel 15 percent would mean getting rid of materials needed for faculty and staff to do their jobs.
LSU President F. King Alexander discussed potential budget cuts on Jan. 22, saying higher education could face a $384 million budget cut statewide, with a $53 million cut for the University.
These amounts, however, represent a worst-case scenario.
The official number won’t be decided until the legislative session in April, said Tommy Smith, associate vice chancellor of Finance and Administrative Services and vice provost for finance.
The state will receive a more accurate estimate of the cuts on higher education when Gov. Bobby Jindal’s version of the budget — House Bill 1 — is presented to the state legislature on Feb. 27.
Higher education would normally be discussed during the legislative session, but representatives are trying to call for a special session to focus solely on higher education funding, Cassidy said.
“What we want the students to know is that they’re our top priority,” Cassidy said. “Keeping students in class with a world-class education — that is absolutely, without question, the top priority.”
Student Government President Clayton Tufts said it is important for students to be informed during the budget decision-making process and to voice their concerns to either SG representatives or their legislators.
“[SG representatives] are going to be thrusted into these conversations and have access to these discussions,” Tufts said. “We’re relying on students’ input, because it’s always better to have our homework done before going to the table.”