Budget cuts over the past three to four years in the Florida education system are leaving schools like Florida State University in the dark about how much funding they will receive for 2010.

With a decline in the economy, billions of dollars were lost in Florida tax revenues, which left little to be allocated for higher education, according to Bill Edmonds, director of communication for the Florida Board of Governors.

The state provides 75 percent of Florida colleges' funding, while 25 percent comes from tuition.

“Last year we came out essentially flat,” said Edmonds. “Some universities saw decreases and increases in funding, but as a whole it was essentially unchanged.”

FSU has lost a quarter of state appropriations since the start of the economic recession. The lost funds have resulted in the 700 employee layoffs, as well as cuts for supporting and maintaining dorms and classrooms.

“This is a major reduction on how we can do business at the university,” said John Carnaghi, FSU's senior vice president for finance and administration. “Until legislators can make a budget decision," he said, "we are doing our best to assure that our students will be affected as least (sic) as we can possibly allow."

Many students are already having their own struggles with money. Valerie Deleon entered FSU last year with a Bright Futures scholarship, a Marine Corps scholarship, and a grant from the school. She also works in retail and plans to get a second job during the summer.

"Besides schoolwork and my job," Deleon said, "nothing else is a priority for me right now."


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