Commissioner worries cuts could hurt higher education

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state higher education commissioner said on Monday that from a funding standpoint public institutions will lose six years worth of ground with the deep budget cuts recommended by the governor.

"We are under tremendous pressure with our state budget," said Dr. Kala Stroup. "But this funding recommendation, when you account for inflation, will take colleges and universities back to fiscal year 1997 funding levels."

Stroup said that while funding is decreasing, enrollment is increasing, which puts even more of a burden on universities.

Though saying that the Department of Higher Education has to do its part to address the current budget problems, Stroup said she is concerned about the state's long-term commitment to higher education.

"It is in the best interest of the state to have a viable public higher education system," said Stroup, a former president of Southeast Missouri State University.

The commissioner made her comments before the Senate Appropriations Committee, which was reviewing the proposed FY 2003 budget for the department.

$72.4 million cut

Gov. Bob Holden recommend a $1.08 billion budget for the department, a $72.4 million reduction from this year's appropriation. The department had requested a $160.9 million increase.

The governor's proposal includes reducing the operating budgets for four-year public institutions by $84.9 million, with some of the savings being shifted to other higher education programs.

Though there wasn't time for additional testimony after Stroup outlined the proposed budget, the hearing room was packed with university administrators from around the state who are bracing for the impending cuts.

The House Appropriations Committee for Education will begin marking up the higher education budget this week. That phase of the process includes adding and deleting spending in the governor's proposal. Budget bills must clear the House before going to the Senate.

Southeast president Dr. Ken Dobbins is expected to testify before the House panel today. Like other four-year schools, Southeast is subject to a 10 percent across-the-board cut to its operating budget.

Holden has recommended nearly $45.3 million for Southeast, which was appropriated $50.3 million for the current fiscal year. However, because of mid-year withholdings needed to balance the budget, Southeast is on pace to receive less than $46 million from the state.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608