It would take a 77 percent tuition increase at Georgia’s colleges and
universities to meet the demand for a $385 million cut in the state’s
higher education system budget, Chancellor Erroll Davis said Wednesday. A lively debate is shaping up under the 'gold dome', the state of Georgia's capitol.
In an online Atlanta Journal Constitution blog post by
Given the increase, Davis said that would raise tuition at the research universities to more than $10,000 a year, while four-year colleges would raise to more than $6,700 and two-year college tuition would grow to more than $4,000.
But it took some time for Davis to get to that point. Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) interrupted Davis as the chancellor was explaining how dire the university system’s financial situation is.
“We are in a budget crisis,” Harp said. “I fully appreciate what you have offered. We are familiar with this. We have got to cut another $200 to $300 million out of your budget. Please, prioritize where those cuts will come or we will do it blindly.”
Unfortunately, Davis was not prepared to discuss specific cuts with lawmakers.
As interesting as the article is, take a look at the comments that are coming in online:
February 24th, 2010
11:24 am
Utterly ridiculous. Cutting the education budget and therefore the services provided by these schools, while possibly raising tuition. So you’re paying more for less. These ‘legislators’ would rather renege on locking in tuition, than ending all the tax credits and handouts they offer to businesses. They don’t even have a clue if these tax breaks are cost-effective. Will someone ask why they won’t look their first instead of cutting HALF A BILLION dollars from education in two years. Based on their cuts, you see whats important to these people. Sonny’s Go Fish program is ripe for the chopping block in such tight times, IMO.
February 24th, 2010
11:28 am
Why not cut salaries on all of these professors and do away with things like sabbaticals, they only work half a year anyway? All we ever hear about is “we have to raise tuition,” lets cut overhead and also require teachers to teach more than a few classes per week. many of which are taught by teaching assistants!! The people are tired of having to carry the burden for a system that is run by the unions and special interest groups!
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