State funding for Ball State University and other Indiana public colleges will be reduced by $150 million during the next two years, Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday morning.
The budget cuts are part of Daniels' plan to cut overall spending in response to lower than expected state revenues.
Daniels will give the Indiana Commission on HIgher Education 30 days to identify spending cuts, which all state universities must share.
Randy Howard, vice president for business affairs and treasure, who is in charge of the university's budget, said he's unsure of what cuts Ball State may have to make.
"Whatever decisions we make will perserve the quality of education," Howard said.
Ball State President Jo Ann Gora released an e-mail statement Friday expressing her concerns about the cuts and what they means for the university.
"These cuts in state funding for higher education reinforce the importance of our enrollment successes, at both the undergraduate and graduate level," Gora said. "Demand for our offerings remains high. We enrolled the largest and best-prepared freshman class in more than a decade, and we have maintained our increases in retention. Building on these successes, and extending our online offerings, will be crucial as we move forward."
Daniels had phone calls to the seven university presidents Thursday and said their response was "statesman-like."
"School after school said 'we want to be part of the solution," he said.
Gora acknowledged Ball State has faced budget cuts before and has implemented long term solutions, such as the geothermal project, to save money.
"I understand that, for now, we all have more questions than answers, chief among them 'What does this mean for me and for Ball State?' While it is too early to answer that question fully, I can assure you that we will continue to do everything possible to sustain the high quality and relevant education that we collectively provide our students," she said.
Revenue collections for November were $144 million less than the forecasted amount, Daniels said. This marks the 14th-consecutive month that Indiana's revenues have been less than expected.
Daniels consulted with the Commission on Higher Education in setting the $150 million amount, which represents 6 percent drop in state funds to universities.
In addition to colleges, the new plan will also affect state employees and the Indiana Department of Administration, among other things.
For more information, check back at bsudailynews.com throughout the day.
Bob Culp and Liz Mensching contributed to this story.
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