Committee visits University to hear budget cut concerns
Marissa Graziadio / Associate News Editor
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Page One
"I am alarmed at the fact that our tuition has steadily increased each year well beyond inflation, and a whole generation is being crippled with inordinate amounts of debt," Kline said to the committee. "Even more alarming, it seems as though no one is attempting to solve this systemic problem of unsustainable funding. Please do not allow this budget to continue a vicious trend of uncontrollable tuition increases and insurmountable cuts to our education."
Kline said he has begun to work with presidents of other public student governments and student leaders at schools throughout the state to organize on behalf of higher education.
"I'm glad to see some students here - would love to see more - but these hearings and the whole budget process are definitely meant for us to get our voice out there," Kline said. "This just starts the process for all students involved here at Rutgers and all students across the state."
In a letter to the community, University President Richard L. McCormick said the governor's proposed budget would cut University funding by 11.6 percent.
"While higher education is not alone in absorbing cuts during a fiscal emergency in New Jersey, this year's reduction furthers a trend of decreasing state support for higher education. It would, in fact, be the lowest amount of state funding Rutgers has received in more than a decade," McCormick wrote.
But because the state's budget bill has not yet been formulated by the Legislature, McCormick urged faculty, staff, students, alumni and concerned members of the community to advocate for funding restoration by writing to the committee and attending the committee's hearings.
McCormick said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Phillip J. Furmanski will meet with an informal committee to discuss how steps can be taken to absorb the severity of a funding cut.
Buono said the budget will be balanced, passed and signed by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.
Kline said he has begun to work with presidents of other public student governments and student leaders at schools throughout the state to organize on behalf of higher education.
"I'm glad to see some students here - would love to see more - but these hearings and the whole budget process are definitely meant for us to get our voice out there," Kline said. "This just starts the process for all students involved here at Rutgers and all students across the state."
In a letter to the community, University President Richard L. McCormick said the governor's proposed budget would cut University funding by 11.6 percent.
"While higher education is not alone in absorbing cuts during a fiscal emergency in New Jersey, this year's reduction furthers a trend of decreasing state support for higher education. It would, in fact, be the lowest amount of state funding Rutgers has received in more than a decade," McCormick wrote.
But because the state's budget bill has not yet been formulated by the Legislature, McCormick urged faculty, staff, students, alumni and concerned members of the community to advocate for funding restoration by writing to the committee and attending the committee's hearings.
McCormick said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Phillip J. Furmanski will meet with an informal committee to discuss how steps can be taken to absorb the severity of a funding cut.
Buono said the budget will be balanced, passed and signed by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.