Budget cuts worry C of C presidentHouse so far sustains veto axing $545,000 By Diane Knich (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, May 31, 2008
College of Charleston president George Benson says he's distressed over looming state budget cuts that he says would severely harm the education and business schools and slash the college's ties to the community. Earlier this month, Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed funding for four programs in the two professional schools, cutting $3 million more from the existing programs in the college's budget, Benson said. Then on Thursday, the state's House of Representatives sustained one of those vetoes that cut $545,000 from the college's hospitality and tourism management program. Benson said three more programs "are up to bat" when the House meets again on Tuesday. Proposed budget cutsCenter for Partnerships to Improve Education -- $901,800 -- Source: College of Charleston Programs on the chopping block: an educational partnership with Charleston schools, a real estate program and a global trade and resource center. If the Legislature doesn't override the vetoes, Benson said, "the state will effectively cut the heart out of our professional programs in business and education." At the core of the College of Charleston, like any liberal arts school, are the arts and science programs, Benson said. But wrapped around those programs are the college's education and business schools. Those are the college's only two profession schools, and the programs that directly link it to the greater Charleston community, he said. "We like to think of the peninsula and the Lowcountry as a learning laboratory," he said. But legislative budget trimming "pushes you back to the ivory tower model," he said. All of the state's colleges and universities are likely facing cuts this year, Benson said. The college was already facing an overall $1.3 million cut. If the funding for the four programs is cut, the university will lose a total of $4.3 million, he said. State support now accounts for only 17.5 percent of the college's budget, he said. If all of the vetoes are sustained, state support will drop to just 15 percent of the college's budget next year, he said. It's unfortunately the state is considering cutting such successful programs, Benson said. "These are programs I could sell to anybody," he said. "This really knocks the wind out of your sails." Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 10 comment(s)
Posted by zoomru on May 31, 2008 at 12:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Benson......
Stop crying and start looking in the mirror. I suggest you call up mayor riley and ask him when we are going to have our coastal windfarm installed so your electricity bill will go down you nut! Maybe if you cut off a few of those lights you may balance the budget and not need state funds. Obviously you are spending more money than alumni are donating. Sounds to me like they need a new president. Are you a Democrat?? I guess you are going to hire those professors from FurmaN!!
Get a backbone and learn to solve problems.
Posted by zoomru on May 31, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've got your Ivory Tower.....
Do you know what a windturbine looks like?
How about having that Business School of yours whip up some actual factual numbers. Do you know what energy would be created from ONE tropical storm???
I think I need to be teaching you!!!
Posted by planet_earth on May 31, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The k-12 system in Charleston faces far worse than this year after year! When is the SC gov't going to get a clue that in order to meet the demands for education, schools must have fiscal stability ?
Posted by iopturbo on May 31, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
can we stay on topic? apparently not. The first mention of a wind turbine was down here in the comments section. The horse is dead.
Posted by JC on May 31, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the College of Charleston was a private school? Why should they be getting $1 of my tax money? Guess I was wrong then.
If they would quit building all these new buildings, they would have more money. How many are underway now, or have been completed in the last few years - many.
Posted by PantherFan on May 31, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The College of Charleston is a public college, JC.
Posted by expat on May 31, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No. You can't "sell" a 1.2 million dollar real estate program to me, Mr. Benson. Teach the essentials of business and finance. Professionals can take online courses through REALTOR University, the National Association of REALTOR'S system for professional education and certification. OR, raise the money through private donors.
Posted by Jason on May 31, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone who does not see the value in The College having a first-rate, well-funded business program needs to get back into the classroom. This story is not about republican or democrat, it is about an investment in people.
The dozens of businesses, NPO initiatives, studies, and community groups created by former C of C students now employ dozens if not hundreds of employees here in Charleston. And these are just the ones I know of - I only finished in 2006.
For those that just open their mouths on this comment site without knowing what they are talking about: many of the "new" buildings now under construction around campus were planned and decided on years ago under President Higdon's leadership. If anyone could have seen the "Old Library," they would understand why improvements in the infrastructure here is necessary. Moreover, the Science Center stands to put The College on the map through many of the value added research programs they provide. The new dorms boost the number of students able to live on campus - thus giving them additional opportunities to enrich their College of Charleston experience.
Some of us who attended this amazing and dynamic college are working each and every day to create companies that all value to this community and that give back to those who educated us. We are encouraged and championed by many of these same business professors and community leaders; one of whom supported this writer in his transition from chemotherapy patient to business owner. My business plan was developed and frequently added to via the internet from a hospital bed. Now it is two distinct enterprises.
Want to see Charleston slip even further behind in global competitveness...this is a good start. These State of South Carolina policy makers should be ashamed of themselves.
I beg the question: if we know that the growth and influx of people, goods, investment, and development to the region is coming, why are we not investing more in our business school to guarantee it is done right?
Posted by hbdinwid on June 1, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is quite disgusting how much money is being taken from state colleges year after year. In 2002, tuition was $3100 a year. In 2007-2008, it is well over $7200 a year FOR IN STATE!!! Much of this increase is from state budget cuts. Though CofC still continues to build newer buildings (that are highly needed), the money for those come from donors. What is not seen though is how this effects enrollment as fewer and fewer lower and middle class students can not afford to go to a 4 year institution at CofC or any state location.
Posted by FiscalConservative on June 2, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I went to the business school at C of C. It was OK. could have been a whole lot better. I had a lot of friends screwed over by this school. i.e buddy got kicked out cause ex-girl said he broke in and stole her stuff, when the police said it wasn't him and he had 6 witnesses who were with him all night. Made him take all F's and never got to come back. That is why I donate to Clemson.