University facing 15% in cuts

State college leaders were told Friday to prepare for more than 15 percent in cuts from their state funding during a private meeting at the Governor’s Mansion, higher education officials said.That represents about $219 million in cuts — nearly half of which applies to the LSU System — to colleges statewide in Gov. Bobby Jindal’s executive budget to be released Friday for the 2009-2010 fiscal year that begins July 1.The potential amount to cut was determined only after factoring in another $219 million in anticipated federal “stimulus” money, said Meg Casper, Louisiana Board of Regents spokeswoman. The two numbers being the same is a coincidence, she said.That means that without federal aid to ease the cuts, the cuts could have exceeded the feared “worst-case scenario” cuts of nearly 30 percent warned about in January.The state allocates $1.4 billion for higher education.State appropriations make up roughly 60 percent of most college budgets. Additional funds come from tuition revenue, federal dollars, research grants and private fundraising.College leaders have said 30 percent cuts would result in thousands of layoffs and the loss of many academic programs and students.The federal aid approved by Congress is only for two years. So, unless things change, the budget cuts could be significantly worse in 2012.State Commissioner of Higher Education Sally Clausen declined an interview request Friday, but she did release the $219 million number.“We have been anticipating a budget reduction for the coming year,” Clausen said in a prepared statement. “We expect to learn the final details of the governor’s budget when it is officially released on the 13th.”

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