Community Colleges Explore Creative Approaches to Counter Budget Cuts

After years of deep cuts in state funding, the recession and its slow recovery, only to be followed by sequestration and a government shutdown, community college leaders across the country are beginning to use unprecedented measures to help make ends meet. Fundraising — a long-standing activity at four-year institutions — is becoming a necessity, rather than an option, for community colleges struggling to continue the mission. Schools are also turning to foundations, relying on scholarships and partnering more with business and industry for support and opportunities to enhance student success and graduation rates. College presidents and administrators are being asked more often to secure donations like the $1 million-plus that Contra Costa College received.

County Board cuts MSUE budget - Peter Nocerini, Iron County Reporter

As the final days of 2013 ticked away, one unanswered question hovering over the Courthouse was: Will there be a 4-H program in Iron County in 2014? That decision will eventually come down to the Michigan State University Extension, after the County Board voted during its Dec. 12 meeting to reduce its MSUE allocation in the new county budget to $17,000. The Extension had been looking for $34,545. The issue was discussed at length during the Dec. 12 regular meeting. A public hearing on the new budget preceded the regular meeting, and the future of 4-H was the topic of most speakers. All supported 4-H, sometimes passionately and emotionally so, and said how much it means to Iron County’s children.

http://www.ironcountyreporter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4125:county-board-cuts-msue-budget&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=44

Financial woes cause strife at Cayuga Community College

Enrollments that did not meet projections and several years of spending down the fund balance came to a head this year at Cayuga Community College when the school's trustees and president began aggressively cutting costs to try to turn around a massive budget deficit. The college leadership and its employee unions, particularly the Faculty Association, fought over the cuts. The trustees eventually declared a state of financial exigency, put the school's plans for a new dormitory and athletic fields on hold and approved a series of staff layoffs.

Recent cuts have had Louisiana universities reeling

Local higher education officials are expected to scramble for ways to grab some $300 million in unallocated cash from Louisiana’s treasury following reports Thursday the state has the unexpected surplus. Universities have seen little additional dollars flow from the state over the past several years, and many have made drastic cuts in light of state-wide budget cuts. In November, the University of Louisiana at Monroe announced the elimination of 25 positions in accordance with university reorganization because of recurring state-wide budget cuts over the last five years.

University of Akron cuts some holiday cheer in cost-saving efforts

The University of Akron has spent the better part of this year working to cut a $40 million budget gap, mostly due to a decline in enrollment. On the list of cuts was an annual holiday card. The Beacon Journal reports the university decided against spending $10,000 for paper and digitally-animated cards featuring Zippy the mascot for the first time in perhaps 20 years. The cards went to friends and donors. Also cut this year was an annual holiday party for faculty and staff held in the student union featuring Zippy-shaped decorated cookies. That move saved $3,000.

Getting an elite MBA for free: It's possible

So you want an MBA, but you can't afford to take two years off and invest upwards of a quarter of a million on tuition, books, living expenses, and lost wages? Boy, do I have a proposition for you. Now, it's a little unconventional. And it'll require a load of self-discipline. When it's over, you'll have an Ivy League education on your resume. And it won't cost you a cent. Sound too good to be true? Maybe it is. But I got your attention. And that's one of the first things you learn in a foundational marketing class. And one of the world's best business schools -- Wharton -- offers one of those for free through a MOOC. MOOCs -- an acronym for massive open online courses -- are courses that can be accessed globally over the Internet. Thanks to their flexibility, students covet them.http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/12/23/online-education-mba-moocs/

Fixed-rate tuition programs help college students budget.

Tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose 27 percent in the past five years, while those at four-year private schools went up 14 percent, according to the College Board. About 320 colleges and universities offered tuition guarantees during the 2012-13 school year, according to an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data done by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The schools represent about 6.7 percent of the nation’s nearly 4,800 institutions where students receive federal financial aid.http://www.abqjournal.com/325669/news/fixedrate-tuition-helps-college-students-budget.html

Financial health of several Colorado universities in question

When officials from Adams State University sat down before the Joint Budget Committee recently, one of the contingent said he felt "like we're standing in front of a firing squad." And while they were assured that wasn't the case, it's clear that a number of Colorado schools are firmly in the legislative cross hairs. A study prepared for the JBC indicated that six schools — Adams State, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University, Fort Lewis College, University of Northern Colorado and Western State Colorado University — fell below the threshold that indicated "moderate financial health" during the 2012-13 fiscal year.http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24778738/financial-health-several-colorado-universities-question

Evangel University Faces Layoffs, Budget Cuts

Higher education in Springfield is hit again by hard times. Evangel University is laying off faculty and staff and cutting the budget to make up for more than a $1 million budget deficit. President Carol Taylor says they decided to tell those affected on Thursday, rather than wait. The cuts are do-in part to Evangel's consolidation with two other schools that created job redundancies. They also cut nearly three percent of the operating budget. Evangel University is eliminating twelve staff and 6 faculty positions and making other cuts. Evangel President-elect Dr. Carol Taylor explained there are several variables involved in the decision.

http://www.ozarksfirst.com/story/evangel-university-faces-layoffs-budget-cuts/d/story/r0cEVtJVeUi8J9i835WhAw