State Budget Cuts Affect Augusta State University

Augusta, GA—-Like many students at Augusta State University, Marla Martin worries about another cut to the colleges already strapped budget.

Marla Martin, ASU student: “In today’s society you really need an education to get a good job and without the funding there you can’t really get a good education.“

Wednesday afternoon the Board of Regents approved another two percent cut bringing the total education budget cut to eight percent since August. Some faculty and staff say with they saw this coming.

Chip Matson, ASU staff member: “We’ve had to work with less operating expenses and trying to do things to keep services up at the same time, that’s always a challenge when doing less with the budget.”

Because of the cut, the university’s contribution to employee health insurance will be reduced. Starting in January employees will have to pay a 30% contribution.  Also in the spring, students will be required to pay a temporary fee of $75.

Dan Whitfield, VP Business Operations: “With all the cuts that have already been adsorbed they did not want to compromise the quality of the education or the instruction.”

Whitfield says ASU’s fee is better than the $100 fee other state schools will charge. He says about 2 million has now been removed from the budget and that means fewer teachers.

Dan Whitfield, VP Business Operations: “We are relying more on part time faculty and we are delaying the hiring. When we have vacancies we have been extending that process as part of our efforts to reduce costs.”

As for Martin, she just hopes these cuts won’t hurt students who dream of college.

Marla Martin, ASU student: “I know that college is really expensive and for it to get higher it’s going to lessen the chance of somebody whose less fortunate then even myself.”