Here's the truth about higher education support in Florida!

[Sancho]

Every university in the state is freezing admissions, hiring, or cutting jobs. Florida is already last or next to last by every published measure of higher education support. The state will soon be the place for football if you want a lousy education. Here's a typical email broadcast from one institution (USF) for the 4th of July!

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From: "Khator, Renu" <[email protected]>
Sent: 7/3/07 5:35 PM
Subject: Important - Budget Reduction Update

Colleagues:

We are expecting a serious budget shortfall at the state level. It will
impact our University and our professional lives. I hope you will take
a few minutes to read the information below and offer your suggestions
now rather than feel frustrated later on.

Base Budget Cut: Governor Crist and Legislative leadership have asked
that due to a serious shortfall in tax revenue collections, all agencies
plan for a 10% base budget cut in the coming year. Yes, 10%!
Considering that (a) this reduction is permanent, (b) it has to be taken
in E&G, and (c) most of the E&G is tied up in salaries, there is no way
to take the cuts and not feel it. We will do everything possible to
look for efficiencies, but in the end, we will have to make some serious
and tough choices.

Earlier in the week, I held two sessions - one with the Council of Deans
and the other one with the leaders of the governance groups (the Faculty
Senate, the A&P Council, the Staff Council, and the Student Government)
to discuss possible strategies and options that we may take. The more
honest we can be in defining "mission-critical," the easier it will be
to stay strategic and fulfill our mission.

I have no doubt that we will come out stronger than ever after the
crisis, but please remember that real leadership is tested in tough
times. In my estimation, you are a leader if (a) you are continuously
looking for ways to improve and (b) are inspiring others around you to
do the same. Today, I call upon you as a leader to do your best to stay
strategic and passionate about our mission and goal. Possible
strategies emerging from the two sessions are attached here and are also
posted on the Provost's Home Page (http://www.acad.usf.edu/); however,
if you have any suggestions or advice about how best to take these cuts,
please send me an email this week. I will make sure that your
suggestions are given full consideration as we eventually decide how
best to handle the reductions of this magnitude.

If you like to read more about why these cuts are necessary, please go
to the Provost's Home Page, where you will be able to read various memos
and briefings giving you the context.
<<Budget Cuts 2007-08.doc>>

Tuition Differential and What Does it Mean: Last week, Governor Crist
signed a bill authorizing UF, FSU and USF to charge higher tuition than
other state universities. Why? Because it costs more to deliver
value-added education that only research intensive universities can
offer. USF has promised that the raised tuition will go toward hiring
more faculty and more academic advisors. This action is significant for
two reasons: first, it officially establishes USF as one of the three
top tier research universities in the state (already recognized at the
national level); and two, it will allow us to enhance undergraduate
education while continuing our march toward the goal of AAU-eligibility.
It is one of the most significant paradigmatic shifts that we have seen
in Tallahassee about funding of state universities.

How Can we Charge More Tuition and Still be in a Budget Shortfall?
First of all, the tuition cannot be raised until Fall 2008. Even then,
because of various provisions, it will generate only a minimal funding
in 2008-09. Second, the funds cannot be used for any purpose other than
to hire more faculty and more academic advisors.

Thank you for your proactive leadership. We will do everything possible
to protect and enhance our mission.

Have a happy 4th of July!

Renu Khator
Provost and Senior Vice President
University of South Florida
813-974-8347
http://www.acad.usf.edu