Wrap: 12 universities presented their school's reactions to the Education Appropriations Committee's proposed decrease of state funding by as much as 15 percent.

Truman State University's president Troy Paino says his school began preparing for budget cuts in 2008 and should be able to operate with a cut in funding.

 

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Description: Paino: "We're in pretty good shape at identifying the cuts at the 7-percent level. We probably need work to do if we're going to hit the ten/fifteen percent."

Paino says they tried not to negatively affect student learning when making cuts to the school's budget.

He also says they have reduced their workforce and demolished non-academic buildings that drained resources.

From Jefferson City, I'm Kyle Tons

Wrap: University of Missouri system's interim president Steve Owens told the Education Appropriations Committee that budget cuts would increase tuition causing a decrease the number of quality of professors.

Owens cautioned the committee that their faculty's salaries rank very low compared to peer campuses.

He said the cuts in funding will not only worsen salaries, but when the economy stabilizes this trend will eventually drive professors away.

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Description: Owens: "Should this trend continue, we will lose our best and brightest faculty to other researchers and other universities outside Missouri and the quality of our educational and research programs will suffer as a result."

Owens says the Missouri system has already cut 35 degree programs which is about half the total number recommended for elimination statewide.

From Jefferson City, I'm Kyle Tons.

Wrap: 12 Missouri public universities told Education Appropriation Committee members how cutting education funding as much as 15-percent would affect their respective universities.

Southeast Missouri State University's research corporation treasurer Kathy Mangels (Mang-ils) says the faculty may feel the biggest impact of funding cuts.

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Description: Mangels: "We are increasing the average class size from 21 to 26 by 2014 and we're also asking our faculty to increase the amount of student credit hours that they teach."

Mangels says some faculty members are interested in course redesign and using new technology as ways to offer courses.

She says even during these times of reduction in state support that universities still need to grow.

From Jefferson City, I'm Kyle Tons.