WSSU chancellor fears cuts up to 30 percent in state budget for UNC system

Winston-Salem Journal
March 19, 2011
By Lisa O'Donnell
Gov. Bev Perdue's budget proposal calls for a 6 percent cut to the UNC system, but Chancellor Donald Reaves of Winston-Salem State University told WSSU's board of trustees Friday that he is bracing for deeper cuts — possibly as much as 30 percent.  Reaves said the latest rumor coming out of high-level budget negotiations under way among state legislators calls for a 30 percent budget cut to the university system.

Thomas Lambeth, a trustee, criticized some legislators for not understanding the relationship between higher education and economic development.  "It would be the greatest folly if we disarm ourselves in this international economic war," Lambeth said.

Paul Fulton, who sits on the UNC system's board of governors, said he doesn't think legislators will carry through with severe budget cuts to the system, which he said would cause long-term damage to the state.  "I think the leadership, as well as the governor, in the end, will be more responsible," Fulton said.  Click here to read more.