State budget cuts might affect future tuition, fees
Plans not set in stone, but board hopes to do more with less
Christy Mullins
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News
Just over 3 percent may not seem like a lot, but in the arena of state funds, it could mean raising tuition and fees $85 to catch up.
If a group of legislators in South Carolina have it their way in the state budget's later stages, expect to pay up.
Winthrop's Board of Trustees met Friday to discuss the scenarios. President Anthony DiGiorgio set up the discussion early so the board could recount its eggs in relation to its baskets.
If the 3.1 percent drought is approved, DiGiorgio's plan is to "accept the cuts and reduce the budget," he said at Friday's meeting.
"That's not something we do in situations like this," he added. "That's something we do every year."
An extra $85 is one way to look on the bright side.
With added debts such as computer and technology upgrades (including a $50,000 proposal for new science equipment) and houskeeping for the new West Center (custodial services are outsourced for the building that only closes from 1 to 6 a.m.), a cut in state funding could mean raising tuition and fees not by $85, but by $258 to balance out the budget.
The budget process is still in its fetal stages, however, and anything could happen. Programs and other expenses can also be cut to avoid raising fees too drastically.
In the larger picture, legislative liaison Dewitt Zemp said Winthrop will have to do more with less.
"We're at the top of the third inning in a nine-inning game," Zemp said. "The mood may change as we come closer to finalizing the budget."
For each 1 percent of funds the state removes from the school's budget, fees per semester will have to increase $27.30. The cost of each 1 percent reduction in appropriations is $234,806.
The board anticipates two more budget estimates between now and June, when tuition is usually set.
If a group of legislators in South Carolina have it their way in the state budget's later stages, expect to pay up.
Winthrop's Board of Trustees met Friday to discuss the scenarios. President Anthony DiGiorgio set up the discussion early so the board could recount its eggs in relation to its baskets.
If the 3.1 percent drought is approved, DiGiorgio's plan is to "accept the cuts and reduce the budget," he said at Friday's meeting.
"That's not something we do in situations like this," he added. "That's something we do every year."
An extra $85 is one way to look on the bright side.
With added debts such as computer and technology upgrades (including a $50,000 proposal for new science equipment) and houskeeping for the new West Center (custodial services are outsourced for the building that only closes from 1 to 6 a.m.), a cut in state funding could mean raising tuition and fees not by $85, but by $258 to balance out the budget.
The budget process is still in its fetal stages, however, and anything could happen. Programs and other expenses can also be cut to avoid raising fees too drastically.
In the larger picture, legislative liaison Dewitt Zemp said Winthrop will have to do more with less.
"We're at the top of the third inning in a nine-inning game," Zemp said. "The mood may change as we come closer to finalizing the budget."
For each 1 percent of funds the state removes from the school's budget, fees per semester will have to increase $27.30. The cost of each 1 percent reduction in appropriations is $234,806.
The board anticipates two more budget estimates between now and June, when tuition is usually set.
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