Welcome to Florida and Jeb's budget cuts!

[Sancho]

orlandosentinel.com/news/education/orl-bk-university-florida-tuition-050508,0,5907636.story

OrlandoSentinel.com

Budget cut means layoffs, fewer students at University of Florida

The Associated Press

5:37 PM EDT, May 5, 2008

GAINESVILLE

The University of Florida is laying off 20 faculty members and 118 staff members, leaving 290 empty positions unfilled, reducing research, eliminating degrees and cutting student enrollment as it deals with a $47 million budget cut.

"Our priority is to protect the quality and education at the University of Florida," President Bernie Machen said Monday. "But clearly, we cannot take reductions this large without making difficult choices."

UF's general revenue budget is $69 million less than it was a year ago. That number includes $22 million UF cut in October and the current $47 million that reflect the legislature's reduction made in March that were covered by one-time funds, as well as next year's budget.

The university also plans to reduce undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 over the next four years, including decreasing transfer students by 1,000 for next year. Machen said reduction will help maintain the faculty-student ratios.