The closure of regional campuses and academic departments. The termination of UConn Health. Elimination of Division 1 Athletic programs. And major reductions to financial aid.
These are just a few of the things President Herbst outlined in her email last week regarding the consequences of the proposed $300 million budget cut to our university.
Some of these things seem extreme, but nothing can truly be ruled out. Cuts were anticipated for this year and UConn was prepared to take a cut as large as $100 million. $300 million, however, is completely unprecedented and uncalled for.
It’s no secret that the state has been struggling for some time now. Companies are leaving and people are moving out of state, leading to an eroding tax base and our current budget crisis. The solution is not this proposed cut.
The economic recovery of the state is directly linked to the success of UConn. The majority of students stay within Connecticut post-graduation, providing an attractive labor pool for employers and contributions to taxes. The university’s current affordability and success also keeps Connecticut’s brightest here for their years of higher education.
The proposed budget will result in a 30% increase in in-state tuition, a cut of $3,212 per undergrad and half of UConn’s financial aid. These aspects will most definitely drive away prospective students. The success of the university will decline, and it will be more attractive to students to spend that cost at some other private school. And that does not take into account the current students struggling to pay tuition.
The closure of regional campuses, academic departments, and potentially even UConn Health would mean a massive loss of jobs. Connecticut’s unemployment rate is already higher than the national average, and this would only cause the difference to increase.
As for Division 1 Athletics, what is a flagship university without that? UConn surely would not be the university it has become without the success of our basketball program. That alone brings in many out of state students, paying a higher tuition, who would have otherwise chosen another school. Basketball would never be cut, but other D1 sports that do not gain as much attention also add to the appeal of UConn.
Governor Malloy has promised to veto this Republican-backed proposal. But until he does it is up to the students and faculty to make their voices heard. Go to the rallies. Call your representatives. No one should want to see UConn fail, as that would ensure the failure of this state as a whole.
This is scary, that fact is undeniable. But it is in times like these that I am most proud to be a student at UConn. Keep fighting, Huskies.