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DRIFTWOOD The community newspaper of the University of New Orleans
Volume: 58 Issue: 16
BIG BUCK BIG CUT
UNO closing its doors. “That is really difficult to envision [UNO closing],” said Payne. “I more likely expect there to be some transformations among school systems. Several years ago there was
Charles Nicholson Driftwood Staff Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration recently announced that Louisiana colleges and universities should expect $200 to $300 million in budget cuts for the 2015-2016 school year. These cuts are due to the $1.5 billion gap in the state budget. “This is not the fault of the University of New Orleans,” said Dr. Dinah Payne, an instructor in the Department of Management and Marketing here at UNO. “Our stu-
February 4, 2014
driftwood.uno.edu
dents and professors did not do anything wrong. Our [university] administration did not create the budget propos- al. We did not cause this The University of New Orleans has seen a long history of budget cuts. Just recently President Peter Fos recommended the closure of seven degree programs, including Geography and Master’s of Romance Languages, due to budget issues. There have also been discussions regarding the possibility of
t a l k a b o u t S U N O , UNO, and Delgado combining. I would see more now the likelihood of UNO and Delgado coming together.” With the new fiscal year beginning on July 1, it won’t be too long until we see the results of these proposals.
Payne said she wants people to be more effective and efficient in how services are offered, so that if UNO does take a big hit from cuts the students would still come first. She believes her colleagues value their jobs, not just in being employed, but in what they do as well. “What keeps me positive is when I walk into a classroom of UNO students. There’s no better set of students and I’ve taught all over the place. [The students] are worth our best efforts,” said Payne. The university has seen quite a few changes over the years due to budget constraints. Besides the steadily increasing tuition, hours have been cut at certain on-campus facilities, and there are fewer class sessions available to students. The university also been trying to increase revenue through renovations, like the Sushic sushi restaurant in the Cove and the new coffee shop in the library. “Education was valued in my home,” said Dr. Dorothy Scholl, instructor and Pre-Veterinary Sciences Advisor.
“I am a product of the public education system. I believe very strongly that the people of this city have the right to a quality education. That was one of the reasons why I wanted to work for UNO.” “The budget cuts we’ve already suffered have put us on a shoestring budget,” said Scholl. “ Because of those cuts, we’re undergoing all of this academic restructuring and reorganization and cutting programs. Let’s put it this way: we can’t survive any more cuts to higher education.” Though she can’t foresee the outcome, Scholl doesn’t see UNO remaining the same as it is now if these budget proposals go through. She also commented that the mood of the faculty on the situation is a little grim. “Morale has been low since the budget cuts have started,” said Scholl. “We want our students to succeed. We want to see the economy of the city and the state grow. All of us, as educators, believe that the way to do that is to invest in students and education.” “I really feel sorry for President Fos, because he was put into a very dire situation. When he was appointed as president, we were already in bad financial state because of the budget cuts,” said Scholl. “It’s not the administration’s fault, per se. The responsibility lies with the gross fiscal mismanagement by Bobby Jindal. By refusing to address the deficit problem in a rational, logical manner, he’s moved continued on page 3
How do you think the statewide budget cuts will affect students? Marley Gee Senior, Sociology
“I believe it’ll be detrimental to students who truly want to get a higher education. Reason being, I don’t see the actual reason for the budget cuts nor has a logical explanation been given for them.”
Kentrella Reed Junior, Biology
“I’m extremely concerned about the budget cuts. I’m more concerned about the future. What are our children supposed to do if they had dreams of attending our universities? Will they experience the pain of budget cuts, too?”
Yesid Ducon Senior, Naval Architecture “I think the success of a country is driven by the education of its people. We’re being driven in the wrong direction.”
Mackenzie Renner Freshman, Sociology
“Due to the budget cuts, the on campus ‘doctor’ couldn’t tend to my needs. I was suffering with the flu Friday and the doctor told me he couldn’t see me until Tuesday. The budget cuts will result in nothing but harm to the students.”