Budget capsule: Higher education

Budget cuts for higher education ended up being nearly half of what was projected, hovering around 9 percent for each school instead of a projected 17.5 percent. Decreased funding, however, pushed some institutions to make unprecedented moves in the direction of layoffs, offering early retirement incentives and various program cutbacks.

Bonding approvals allowed presidents of several schools to move ahead with building projects, which Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner William A. Sederburg said "is really going to help our schools contribute to the economy."

Federal stimulus money came into play for higher education, providing one-time monies and delaying deeper budget cuts in the current fiscal year and for FY10.

Sederburg said he supports saving the state's Rainy Day Fund for possible shortfalls in 2011.

Individual college and university presidents have vowed to keep tuition increases below 10 percent for the upcoming school year, not transferring the financial burden to students.

E-MAIL: wleonard@desnews.com