States slow down spending growth, report shows, CNSNews

By Jillian Bandes
June 24, 2008

CNSNews.com) - A new report says that after years of increased spending, states are spending less than usual in fiscal 2008, and that next year their spending will decrease. Lobbyists for the states view the development as dire, but lower-tax advocates find it heartening.

This is a "significant weakening in state finances," according to the report, issued by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) and the National Governors Association (NGA).

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Greater than the sum of its parts, Inside Higher Education

June 25, 2008

It’s been a bad year for German programs. The University of Southern California is eliminating its department. A graduate program at the University of Florida is alive, but facing an admissions freeze and future scrutiny.

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Search-and-rescue expert leaves USF, Tampa Tribune

By Adam Emerson
June 24, 2008

TAMPA - The University of South Florida is losing a high-profile faculty member to a Texas university that saw opportunity in Florida's economic misery.

Robin Murphy, whose search-and-rescue robots have scoured some of the nation's worst disaster sites including ground zero, is leaving USF in August for a job with Texas A&M University.

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Caught off guard -- But Why? Inside Higher Education

Jack Stripling
June 24, 2008

When the bottom fell out, where were the disaster plans?

As the economy took a dive in the first half of this year, and states started slashing budgets, higher education leaders were often left scrambling. Unsure where to cut their budgets on short notice, university officials turned to predictable — though not always strategic — solutions:

Vacant positions went unfilled.

Tuition hikes were approved.

Enrollments were frozen.

The latest economic downturn, which has left a host of state universities grappling with major shortfalls, is part of an ongoing cycle of ups and downs that have a familiar feel in higher education. And yet, precious few institutions plan — at least publicly — for how to deal strategically with such budget deficits when they inevitably arrive.

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FAU exercised great care in budget-cutting process, Treasure Coast Palm

Letter to the editor
June 23, 2008

Florida Atlantic University is facing the tightest budget year in its 44-year history. The university has had to absorb a record-high $18.6 million in state-funding cutbacks over a two-year period, necessitating a detailed review of all expenditures. Very difficult decisions had to be made about identifying areas in which budget reductions should be made.

President Frank Brogan chose to take a collaborative approach to this process, appointing a university-wide task force to examine all aspects of FAU's operations. In accordance with the university's strategic plan, the focus of the task force was on preserving the institution's core function — the delivery of top-quality higher-education services to its 26,000 degree-seeking students. The proposed budget for the 2008-09 academic year achieves that goal while instituting departmental cuts university-wide, from the president's office on down.

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Officials consider flat tuition rate at UF, Gainesville Sun & Ocala Star-Banner

By Nathan Crabbe
June 23, 2008

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida students could be required to pay for classes they don't attend.

A flat tuition rate would charge the same amount to all full-time students, regardless of how many credit hours they take. UF officials are considering flat tuition, also called block tuition, as a way to help address budget constraints.

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Florida education budget cuts still loom, Associated Content

By Iris Amelia
June 22, 2009

MIAMI -- The Board of Trustees at Florida International University agreed upon measures to cut 25 programs - majors included - as well as lay off over 200 employees.

On June 12, a number of degrees including dance, engineering and speech pathology were eliminated and will no longer be included within FIU's roster of programs in three years.

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