University planning layoffs, budget cuts

Web posted February 14, 1998

Associated Press

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- South Carolina State University, feeling the pressure to meet the state's new performance-based funding, is being more selective in the students it takes and now will have to lay off people to meet a $3 million budget gap.

President Leroy Davis said he has asked to eliminate about 35 jobs.

That includes some dual administration-faculty positions, which will eliminate the administrative salary but keep the faculty pay.

The job cuts are expected to save $250,000 this school year and $1 million in 1998-99, Mr. Davis said.

Because the issue concerns personnel, the university will not reveal full details until the plan is presented to trustees, who meet next week.

``What we are really presenting to the board is a plan to help maintain a balanced budget for the institution,'' Mr. Davis said Thursday. ``I think we are secure.''

Mr. Davis said losing student fees from declining enrollment and other revenue is expected to cost the school $3 million this year.

State colleges will be given money based on performance instead of enrollment, so South Carolina State has been more selective in searching for students with Scholastic Assessment Test scores of more than 1,000. That has meant a drop of 260 students from a year ago, Mr. Davis said.

``As we enter a new era of higher education funding in the state ... we have to take more of a business approach,'' Mr. Davis said.

The cuts should not affect the school's accredited programs, and academic scholarships will not be affected and could increase, he said.

The university began looking for savings last semester, when it cut travel expenses by 20 percent, stopped filling all but essential positions, delayed some purchases and pared down other purchases.

A President's Advisory Council, with 20 alumni and supporters, has been created to help with fund-raising and development. Another committee is focusing on better recruitment.

``We have some corporate initiatives we hope to announce in the spring,'' Mr. Davis said.