THE MONEY GAME
Due to statewide budget cuts, tuition and fees will increase. But how much?
Jesse Davis
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: News
Residents of Louisiana have not felt the full effects of the recession in comparison to other residents in other states. Students at McNeese had barely any direct effects to their education when the first round of budget cuts hit the campus.
As sad a fact this may be, students may soon see some dramatic changes in their fees on campus as a result of another storm of budget cuts.
McNeese was told to have a plan to address the budgets cuts in the amount of $2,059,348. This plan of action was submitted to the University of Louisiana System January 8, 2010.
The state was cut $247.9 of federal money; to make this money up Louisiana higher education was cut $84 million dollars. Along with colleges, every state agency was required to submit a plan to address the budget cuts.
"We began this academic year with a 13 percent reduction in state appropriation funding" Dr. Robert Hebert, McNeese president replied regarding budget cuts to McNeese.
Over the past 13 months there have been 2 state authorized budget cuts, the upcoming budget cut will make the 3rd.
McNeese's plan to address the budget cuts is to continue to hold 70 vacant full time positions. There will also be reductions to the operating services on campus.
Hebert restated his mission statement while outlining the budget situation at an annual general faculty meeting "As I said then, it is important to focus on our priorities and our core academic mission".
To avoid having to lay off employees Hebert announced a freeze on raises to employees effective through June 30. Hebert said this in regards to the employees of McNeese "[it is important] to protect our most important asset, our employees."
When the latest news of midyear budget cuts passed through the grapevine all searches for employee replacements were halted. This in turn increases the size of classmates per room. As Hebert stated "Class and lab sizes are larger, some class sections are offered less frequently and we have postponed technology upgrades and library book purchases."
As sad a fact this may be, students may soon see some dramatic changes in their fees on campus as a result of another storm of budget cuts.
McNeese was told to have a plan to address the budgets cuts in the amount of $2,059,348. This plan of action was submitted to the University of Louisiana System January 8, 2010.
The state was cut $247.9 of federal money; to make this money up Louisiana higher education was cut $84 million dollars. Along with colleges, every state agency was required to submit a plan to address the budget cuts.
"We began this academic year with a 13 percent reduction in state appropriation funding" Dr. Robert Hebert, McNeese president replied regarding budget cuts to McNeese.
Over the past 13 months there have been 2 state authorized budget cuts, the upcoming budget cut will make the 3rd.
McNeese's plan to address the budget cuts is to continue to hold 70 vacant full time positions. There will also be reductions to the operating services on campus.
Hebert restated his mission statement while outlining the budget situation at an annual general faculty meeting "As I said then, it is important to focus on our priorities and our core academic mission".
To avoid having to lay off employees Hebert announced a freeze on raises to employees effective through June 30. Hebert said this in regards to the employees of McNeese "[it is important] to protect our most important asset, our employees."
When the latest news of midyear budget cuts passed through the grapevine all searches for employee replacements were halted. This in turn increases the size of classmates per room. As Hebert stated "Class and lab sizes are larger, some class sections are offered less frequently and we have postponed technology upgrades and library book purchases."
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