Layoffs, enrollment cuts and less research for UF
TALLAHASSEE — Faced with a nearly $50-million loss in state dollars for the looming budget year, Florida's flagship public university will lay off 138 faculty and staff; cut undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 students; slash research spending; and eliminate some degree programs and academic departments.
For students, the changes will mean fewer multicultural programs, internships and study-abroad opportunities.
Maintenance and housekeeping hours in the dorms will shrink. Students will likely find longer waits for financial aid and career counseling. And the enrollment reduction will make it harder than ever to get into what some people already call the "Harvard of Florida."
University of Florida President Bernie Machen announced the dramatic cutbacks Monday, just a few days after lawmakers ended their annual session.
See tomorrow's St. Petersburg Times or tampabay.com for the full story.
- Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler, higher education reporter
Get inside the world of Florida education with St. Petersburg Times staff writer Jeffrey S. Solochek and the rest of the Times education reporting team. We'll bring you up-to-date information about the latest education trends, fads and news and dig deep into Tampa Bay area school issues.
Soon my degrees from UF will be worthless. Although it isn't all his fault, Bernie Machen needs to go.
Posted by: Alex | May 05, 2008 at 04:55 PM
When is Genshaft going to announce USF's cuts? They are faced with the same picture.
Posted by: Eric | May 05, 2008 at 10:04 PM