Governor also singles out Tri-County Tech administrative costs

By STEPHANIE TRACY
Independent-Mail
January 6, 2005

Gov. Mark Sanford’s 2005-06 Executive Budget released Wednesday would slash funding for Clemson University Public Service Activities for the fourth consecutive year, delivering another 12 percent cut to a program that has seen its state budget decrease by more than 50 percent since 2001.

After sustaining a 10 percent reduction in state funding last year, Clemson’s public service program endured a cost-cutting and efficiency overhaul that included employee buyouts and extensive restructuring.

University spokeswoman Cathy Sams said university and Public Service Activities officials had hoped to start rebuilding this year.

"What happened is we decimated some of our most senior positions in the agricultural areas," Ms. Sams said. "We had hoped to reallocate money from privatizing some activities to help rebuild in those areas. But with another budget cut that’s going to be hard."

Funded at $54 million in 2001, Clemson’s public services budget had been cut to $36 million by last year, Ms. Sams said. The governor’s budget for next year brings total state funding for Public Service Activities to $31 million.

Among some of the cost-saving measures recommended was a reduction of the Public Service Activities’ forestry research and education programs. By delegating the work to Clemson’s academic programs and the state Forestry Commission, Gov. Sanford hoped to save the state $1.8 million.

"It’s really surprising to see a $1.8 million cut in an industry that’s so important to the state, like forestry," said John Kelly, vice president of public service and agriculture.

Mr. Kelly said the governor’s cuts to other public service education programs and further cuts to its agricultural activities would be a blow to any hopes of rebuilding the already lean institution, but said Wednesday’s opening salvo from the governor was just the first step.

"We’re certainly willing to work with the legislature," he said. "The governor’s budget is just a suggestion."

The governor did commit to sustaining or even increasing funds to some of the Public Service Activities’ programs, including a 50 percent increase in funding for the Animal Health and Diagnostic Lab, and 10 percent more money for the meat inspection program. Agricultural biotechnology research also was funded at its current level of $1 million.

Golf course turf-grass research and nuisance species abatement would be cut completely in favor of privatization. Gov. Sanford also proposed eliminating funding for public service programs in government and public affairs research and education; rural community leadership development; rural community public issues education; and community and economic affairs research and education — a total savings of $794,864.

In addition to its public service arm, Clemson University’s general education funding also would take another 2 percent cut on top of the 2 percent decrease ultimately levied in the 2004-05 budget. The university’s Board of Trustees was forced to raise tuition by 12.7 percent in July to make up for the lack of state money.

Gov. Sanford’s budget would cut 1 to 2 percent from most of the state’s major public universities "to encourage collaboration."

Ms. Sams said it was too early to say whether this year’s cuts would necessitate another tuition increase.

"A lot can happen between now and May," she said.

Technical colleges and some four-year institutions also found themselves the victims of the governor’s red pen when he called for a reduction in administration at some schools, an action that would save the state $2.8 million.

Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton was singled out as spending the highest percentage of its total budget on non-instructional personnel — cited in the executive budget as 14.15 percent.

"That number has got to be wrong," said Tri-County Tech President Ronnie Booth. "We’re not sure where that number came from. I don’t think they’re reflecting current numbers."

Mr. Booth said the most recent number his staff produced for a state-mandated report showed 9.6 percent of the college’s total budget going toward administration positions that include admissions, financial aid, and other support staff.

"I have to believe that those decisions or assessments have been made without an adequate understanding of what it takes to run a college," Mr. Booth said. "I have asked my staff to find out how (Gov. Sanford) got that number."

Stephanie Tracy can be reached at (800) 859-6397, Ext. 342 or by e-mail at tracysk@IndependentMail.com.

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