Proposed education cuts

The state’s university system released a report Monday detailing what it would take to cut $300 million from the system for fiscal 2011, as legislators have said they might do.

Here’s a summary of some of those proposed cuts for the state’s two flagship universities as well as Middle Georgia schools in the system.

The system’s budget includes about $1.9 billion in state funds and, once federal funds are added in, it totals about $5.4 billion.

University of Georgia: Eliminate 1,418 positions, including all 4-H positions. This would close five 4-H facilities, including Rock Eagle near Eatonton. Reduce incoming student body by 1,500 students, close half of the state’s county extension offices, eliminate state botanical gardens, eliminate support for a teaching program in Griffin, close several research facilities, including the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Reidsville, and reduce operating hours at the Tate Student Center, Ramsey athletic center and university libraries.

Georgia Tech: Eliminate 452 positions, including up to 200 research positions. Decrease student admissions by 20 percent, consider closing the Savannah campus, reduce university library hours by 42 percent and reduce building maintenance.

Macon State College: Eliminate 24 positions. Cap enrollment at the fall 2009 level. Eliminate two-year associate degree programs for which there is already a corresponding bachelor’s degree program.

Fort Valley State University: Eliminate 52 positions and eliminate some academic programs. Roughly 65 percent of temporary faculty and staff would be eliminated, and others would take three furlough days.

Georgia College & State University: Eliminate 40 positions. Eliminate several academic programs, impacting 3,400 students. Eliminate or reduce K-12 outreach, community health and economic development programs.

Middle Georgia College: Eliminate 46 positions. Delay avionics program, eliminate Saturday classes, delay the criminal justice program, eliminate the helicopter flight program, sports medicine program and occupational therapy assistant program.

Gordon College: Eliminate 12 positions. Eliminate music, theater and business programs, affecting 220 students. Eliminate the Development Office and Alumni Relations office.

— Compiled by staff writer Travis Fain