As state universities cut, CCs want to add

Florida's 11 four-year public universities are facing more than $300-million in budget cuts this year and likely more the next, forcing them to consider laying off faculty, cutting as many as 17,000 seats, and cutting academic programs.

But the state's 28 community colleges, the likely landing place for many rejected university applicants, are seeking state approval to establish 11 new bachelor's programs in areas like nursing, education, management and computer networking.

The State Board of Education meets Tuesday to vote on the proposals for Broward, Palm Beach, Chipola, Daytona Beach, Edison and Florida Community Colleges.

Community colleges in Florida have long been the place where students go after finishing their first two years of general education, through an associate's degree. But in recent years they've added their own four-year degree programs in high-demand areas like nursing and education.

Now that universities like USF are deciding they can no longer afford to accept transfers like before, community colleges seem to be wanting to take on the universities' role in some respects.

Meanwhile, the Fort Myers News-Press reports that Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers is delaying three new academic programs it had hoped to introduce this fall.

FGCU officials wanted to start a bachelor’s program in journalism, a master’s in mathematics and a master's program in environmental science for the fall 2008 semester. But money is so tight, FGCU officials are delaying journalism to save $290,000; mathematics to save $117,000; and environmental studies to save $90,000.