FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 26, 2010
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
SGC Concerned Over Latest Legislative Budget Proposals
If current legislative proposals are realized, the
University System of Georgia (USG) will face over $300 million in budget
cuts for Fiscal Year 2011. According to the USG system office, South Georgia
College’s share would be an approximate $1.3 million reduction to its
operating budget – a devastating blow to a college that is playing an
extraordinarily positive role in this region.
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, USG Chancellor Erroll B. Davis met with a joint
House-Senate budget committee and fielded questions from legislators
regarding the University System of Georgia’s budget. The committee requested
the Chancellor to find approximately $300 million to be cut from within the
System’s 35 institutions to make up a portion of the shortfall in the
state’s budget, and was given today as his deadline. Chancellor Davis, while
speaking on the growth within the system and challenges to find these types
of dollars, explained to the committee that this amount of money is equal to
the budgets of 23 of the USG’s 35 colleges and universities.
South Georgia College’s $1.3 million portion would be in addition to the 10
percent reduction in state funding SGC sustained in 2009 and 12.5 percent in
cuts for 2010. This new round of proposed budget cuts would be another 19
percent reduction for a total of over 41 percent in cuts during the past
three years.
SGC has already taken drastic steps to accommodate the cuts in 2009 and
2010. The college has closed the Continuing Education department, eliminated
11 unfilled positions and has re-organized its personnel structure. By the
end of the fiscal year, employees will have also taken a total of six
furlough days.
“Obviously, these levels of cuts are extreme to a campus of our size and
cannot be swallowed by minor changes. There is obviously concern over
whether we will be able to keep our access mission and offer an open door to
all students in the region who want to pursue a college education, and that
deeply concerns me,” states Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC President.
At this level of cuts, there is no sacred ground. Campus leadership will be
forced to consider a number of measures, such as increased class sizes,
fewer course offerings, the elimination of more positions, additional
furlough days, capping enrollment, cutting some student services, and the
possible closure of one of SGC’s off-campus sites.
Several adverse effects of the cuts are fewer course offerings each semester
and thus possible delayed graduation, which would ultimately costs students
more. Furthermore, larger classroom sizes and increased faculty workloads
don’t allow some students the level of attention they need to be successful.
These are just a few concerns being cited from SGC students as well as
others around the state.
The news is especially tough for the communities served by institutions such
as South Georgia College. The college has grown by 33 percent over the past
five years and set enrollment records for the fall and spring semesters this
year. SGC contributes over $46 million to the local economy and creates,
either directly or indirectly, over 500 jobs in this area. In a time when
the local economy is suffering, this will be an added blow.
“Obviously, these levels of cuts are extreme to South Georgia College, yet
we remain committed to protecting instruction and employment in as much as
we can within the framework of these proposed cuts. I must stress that
everything is tentative and will be until both the Legislature and the Board
of Regents make their final decisions. Other colleges and universities are
facing these same issues and the ramifications will be felt throughout the
USG. We are going to be here and we will continue to provide a quality
education for our students. However, if this level of cuts is approved, it
will be a very trying time for our institution and our system,” adds Dr.
Carson.
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About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System
of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives
students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close
collaboration with faculty.
