Utah Legislature: Higher ed digs in against more cuts

SALT LAKE CITY — Deeper cuts into already depleted budgets at Utah's colleges and universities would have a significant impact on the state's economic future, so members of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday declined to take action on a mandate to recommend where money for an additional 5 percent budget cut could be found.

Already the system has dredged budgets for 17 percent cuts, some of the largest in the nation. Although Gov. Gary Herbert has recommended no further cuts for higher education, as well as restoration of stimulus funds that will not be in effect for the coming year, the Executive Appropriations Committee wants numbers for an across-the-board cut of 5 percent.

"If the governor's budget is not approved, campuses really have no choice but to take on drastic measures," said Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education William Sederburg.

Cuts would equate to nearly 4,000 course sections being eliminated at Utah's nine institutions, negatively affecting 9,410 students, as well as 619 faculty positions systemwide. With such cuts, enrollment caps, at schools and on specific courses, would be authorized, limiting the number of students who can complete a degree.

The College of Eastern Utah likely would see a need to declare financial exigency, allowing them to suspend rules and policies of tenure to alleviate budget constraints with everything on the table.

"This is not a threat, just a statement," Sederburg said. "We can't accept taking on more students in addition to a 22 percent budget cut and not see serious ramifications."

The committee decided not to make a recommendation to the higher authority just yet, but to think for one more day, about how to present the best case for higher education in the state of Utah.

"Making these cuts will indeed drive up the costs and will have long-term implications," said Rep. Trisha S. Beck, D-Sandy.

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