Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991 TAG: 9102070400
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The state Council of Higher Education notified the schools Wednesday that they should begin their planning for the next biennium based on the current level of enrollments and services.
The colleges, like other state agencies, are facing a loss of funding as state officials struggle to deal with a revenue shortfall of more than $2 billion over the next 17 months.
Wilder has proposed cutting $23.4 million from state funding of college programs.
He has also proposed an early-retirement program that would allow employees who are at least 50 with 25 years of service to retire. Under Wilder's proposal, half of those who take early retirement would be replaced. The education council staff said about 7.5 percent of the state's college faculty members would be eligible for early retirement.
"There is no assurance we will be able to fill all the positions vacated by early retirement," saidGordon Davies, director of the council.
Presidents of some colleges warned the council that budget cuts could severely damage higher education and prompt repercussions for Virginia's future prosperity.
William Anderson, president of Mary Washington College, said the way higher-education funding is heading in Virginia, "You're going to see thousands and thousands of Virginians who've got no place to go."
Davies said the council's reaction to the money-enrollment squeeze "is not rational. It's a response to the financial condition of the institutions."
Davies said higher education already has lost about $300 million in state funds this biennium.
by CNB