Policy
August 13 , 2010
Budget & Finance
Budget & Finance
The board of regents of the University System of Georgia has approved contingency budget reduction plans of 4 percent ($77 million), 6 percent ($115 million), and 8 percent ($154 million) for the 2011 fiscal year. University officials indicated the budget cuts could lead to reducing campus maintenance projects, delaying hiring, eliminating faculty positions and cutting hours at student learning centers. If the budget reduction plans are implemented, funding would drop to fiscal 2007 levels. After considerations of enrollment increases, state funding per student stands at 1996 levels.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Date posted: August 10, 2010)
MI: Report criticizes state investment in higher education
US: President talks higher education at UT-AustinMI: Report criticizes state investment in higher education
The Michigan League for Human Services released a report this week claiming that state funding and financial aid support for Michigan’s 15 public universities declined by nearly 17 percent from 2002 to 2010. At the same time, undergraduate tuition for resident students increased 88 percent. It also contends that Michigan had the fifth-lowest investment in higher education and the seventh-highest tuition increases when compared to the rest of the nation. The report concludes that Michigan needs to make greater investments in postsecondary education to compete in a knowledge-based economy.
The Detroit News (Date posted: August 10, 2010)
TX: UT officials claim proposed budget cuts could weaken university system
University of Texas System campus leaders spoke out this week against a call by Gov. Rick Perry (R) campuses to prepare for 10 percent funding cuts for the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years. The budget cuts, according to campus officials, will result in the loss of 600 jobs, stagnant or increased student-faculty ratios and fewer course sections. In addition, the proposed budget cuts may make it more difficult for UT campuses to attract the nation's top faculty and students.
Houston Chronicle (Date posted: August 12, 2010)
Federal IssuesTX: UT officials claim proposed budget cuts could weaken university system
University of Texas System campus leaders spoke out this week against a call by Gov. Rick Perry (R) campuses to prepare for 10 percent funding cuts for the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years. The budget cuts, according to campus officials, will result in the loss of 600 jobs, stagnant or increased student-faculty ratios and fewer course sections. In addition, the proposed budget cuts may make it more difficult for UT campuses to attract the nation's top faculty and students.
Houston Chronicle (Date posted: August 12, 2010)
This week President Barack Obama stressed the link between education and the economy during a speech at the University of Texas-Austin. The president cited his success in eliminating commercial banks and other financial institutions as a middleman in the federal student loan program—a move expected to save $60 billion over the next decade. President Obama said his administration is working to improve graduation rates, make college more affordable, and better prepare students for careers. Obama’s higher education goal is to produce 8 million more college graduates among 25 to 34 year-olds by 2020.
Austin American-Statesman (Date posted: August 9, 2010)
US: President Obama signs $26 billion state aid package
US: President Obama signs $26 billion state aid package
Legislation appropriating $10 billion to states for education and $16 billion for an extension of Medicaid assistance was signed into law this week by President Barack Obama. The move is expected to lessen the burden of budget cuts in many state governments. The bill includes nearly $10 billion in new taxes on U.S. multinational corporations that do business abroad, and rescinds—after 2014—an increase in food stamp payments.
The Washington Post (Date posted: August 11, 2010)
Immigration
Immigration
A report released to the board of regents of the University System of Georgia claims that of the system’s 50,000 students on 35 campuses, 242 new students for the fall are undocumented and at least another 230 current undocumented students are eligible to return for the next semester. The exact figure may change because nine campuses have yet to return data. More than half of the system’s universities have fewer than 10 such students. At least one state lawmaker plans to introduce legislation barring undocumented students from attending Georgia public colleges and universities.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Date posted: August 13, 2010)
