Students Protest Proposed Cuts

Published March 3, 2010 at 8:40 p.m.

(WSB Radio State Capitol Bureau) -- A couple dozen students from across the state rallied at the state capitol in protest of proposed cuts to the state's colleges and universities.

University System Chancellor Errol Davis told legislative budget writers many of the $600 million in cuts will result in layoffs of thousands of faculty, a reduction in pay for others, and the elimination of entire degree programs.

He reassured lawmakers that a proposal by the University of Georgia to eliminate the state's 4-H program saving $6.5 million a year is not automatically on the chopping block.

"We've not recommended any cuts to 4-H or extension, they are on a list of potential cuts if we have to make draconian reductions," says Davis.

UGA President Michael Adams says the university has already cut $110 million from its program.

"Do you protect the core functions like teaching English, history or math...or do you protect things that are not as central to the core although we think they're very important," he says.

Students worry the cuts will result in faculty looking for jobs in other states and businesses choosing not to locate here.

"Why should the university system of Georgia which accounts for 12 percent of the state's budget bear the burden of over 30 percent of the most recent budget cuts...we say they shouldn't," says Will Avery, a first year masters student at West Georgia College.

Students plan an even larger rally at the Capitol on March 15th.

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