UConn President Calls State Budget Vote 'Appalling'

STORRS, CT — University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst on Saturday reacted harshly to a state budget that came out of the General Assembly and encouraged Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to stay his course with an anticipated veto.

The debate and voting over a $40.7 billion two-year state budget began Friday night and spilled into Saturday morning.

"Last night and early this morning, both houses of the General Assembly approved a state budget that is appalling to us at UConn," she wrote in a letter sent out Saturday. "The approved budget would cut state funding for the university by more than $300 million over the next two years. That level of cut is unprecedented and would be devastating for UConn, higher education in Connecticut, and the state as a whole.

"This would simply decimate the university."

Herbst included a "partial list" of what the budget approved by legislators would mean for UConn:

• The closure of regional campuses and multiple academic departments and potentially even schools and colleges
• The closure of UConn Health, or "large parts of it"
• Elimination of "scores of majors and graduate programs"
• "Dramatically larger" classes and waiting lists "that will make it challenging for many students to graduate in four years"
• Major reductions to need- and merit-based financial aid for students across the board;
• "Devastating cuts" to scientific and medical research programs
• Reduction of UConn police and fire services as well as the elimination of most student health and mental health services, and other student support programs
• Elimination of many Division 1 Athletics programs
• Elimination of international programs
• "Dramatic reductions" to fundraising efforts and philanthropic giving

"It is difficult to describe how destructive the approved budget would be to UConn and higher education in Connecticut," she said. "We thank the governor for his promised veto of this measure, and we thank all of those who believe in higher education for Connecticut and its residents.

"Going forward, we are hopeful that the legislature and governor can agree on a far-sighted budget that protects investments in UConn, our students, and the state’s future."

Photo Credit: UConn