Pacheco claims more cutbacks could force campus closing

UNION, Mo. -- The University of Missouri could be forced to close one of its four campuses if state funding cuts continue, university president Manuel Pacheco said Thursday.

Pacheco spoke during a meeting of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, held at East Central College. He was among several college and university leaders who wondered how their institutions would weather a 19 percent withholding of state funding that had been budgeted for the current fiscal year, as well as a 10 percent cut in the fiscal 2003 budget.

Pacheco said most Missourians, including most lawmakers, have no idea how dire the situation is.

"It's no longer possible to cut without looking at eliminating programs, limiting enrollment," Pacheco said. "We may have to seriously look at a complete reorganization at the University of Missouri, including possible elimination of programs or complete institutions.

"That's about as stark a picture as I can paint, but that's where we are."

Asked if he meant to imply that one of the campuses could be shut down if additional state money is withheld, Pacheco said, "Absolutely." He said no specific campus has been targeted.

; no timetable established. In addition to its main campus in Columbia, the university operates campuses in St. Louis, Kansas City and Rolla.

"We can limp through next year," Pacheco said. "If there are more withholdings, we have to seriously consider what we are doing."

Pacheco wasn't alone in raising the prospect of closings. Southwest Missouri State president John Keiser did not attend the meeting. But in a letter to the coordinating board, he wrote, "If even more severe reductions (in state funding) occur, consideration should be given to closing smaller, more expensive institutions."

Higher Education commissioner Kala Stroup said none of Missouri's 32 publicly funded colleges or universities are on the verge of shutting down.

"I do know that the institutions are struggling," she said. "We do have a couple that are having a lot of difficulty paying their bills."

Coordinating board members and college leaders agreed to work jointly to educate lawmakers and the public about the financial situation and its impact on students and Missouri's economy, especially on towns and cities that are homes to the schools.

"We need to be more outspoken," said Wayne Giles, chancellor of the Metropolitan Community Colleges in Kansas City. He called for an appeal of the Hancock Amendment, which requires voter approval of state tax increases.

Some severe measures already have been taken as colleges try to make ends meet.

--The University of Missouri will eliminate about 400 jobs -- some through attrition, some through layoffs. The university hospital in Columbia will suspend its heart-transplant program. Curators will consider a surcharge of 4 percent to 5 percent on top of the 8.4 percent student fee increase already approved for the fall.

--Missouri Southern already has announced a fall tuition increase, and may add a surcharge to that. The Joplin college also may be forced to borrow money.

--Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau is using its entire reserve fund, adding a $10 to $15 surcharge to student tuitions, cutting staff and considering cutting programs.

At East Central, the cuts have hit hard. The school, about 45 miles west of St. Louis, suspended four of its six sports, including men's and women's basketball. Journalism, horticulture and French programs were dropped. Twenty-four jobs were eliminated.

Nursing student Tracy Ryan had to scramble to find care for her three young daughters when the college was forced to shut down its day care center. She found a center for the youngest two, but it had no room for her 6-year-old.

So Ryan, 26, sits through a full load of summer classes, her daughter at her side.

"What's going on is very scary," Ryan said. "I chose to go to East Central because it's a junior college and not as expensive. Now, with all the budget cuts, I don't know that I'll be able to finish my degree. I received two scholarships for the fall but I'll still have to take out loans."

Coordinating board member Diane Bourisaw said tuition and fee hikes, combined with the elimination of some programs, have been especially costly for poor and minority students.

"It hurts me to the core that the efforts that have been made to improve these opportunities have been significantly reduced," she said.

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On the Net:

Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education: www.cbhe.state.mo.us