10-percent cut planned for SEMO funding

REQUEST GETS LESS

By Marc Powers ~ Southeast Missourian

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri State University would get nearly $10 million less than requested under the state budget Gov. Bob Holden proposed on Wednesday.

Southeast requested $55 million from the state for fiscal year 2003, which begins July 1. Holden recommends $45.27 million for the university, a 10-percent drop from its FY 2002 appropriation of $50.3 million.

The university is already dealing with a shortfall. Because of withholdings Holden ordered to balance the current budget, Southeast is on track to get only $45.79 million from the state this fiscal year, meaning the university's actual funding loss would be about $520,000.

The governor also recommended 10-percent cuts from this year's appropriations level for the state's other four-year colleges and universities.

Southeast's latest request was only slightly smaller than the $55.5 million it wanted -- and didn't get -- for FY 2002.

State Rep. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said he will work in consultation with Southeast officials to restore some of the university's requested funding when the budget bill for higher education comes before the House of Representatives. Crowell sits on the education appropriations committee.

"If the cuts negatively impact university outreach and core delivery of education, it is something we are going to have to look at remedying in the House and Senate," Crowell said.

Avoiding a hit to Southeast's state funding substantial enough to force tuition hikes is a key goal for Crowell.

"I'm very leery of seeing tuition go up," Crowell said. "We don't want to see people priced out of an education."

Holden has urged university presidents to tighten their belts before seeking tuition increases.

Southeast's appropriation is part of the $1.08 billion budget Holden is recommending for the Department of Higher Education, a 10-percent reduction from the department's FY 2002 appropriation.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608