Last Thursday the University of Tennessee announced potential cuts of up to 777 positions statewide, in addition to several possible program cuts- with worse case scenarios of cuts of up to $91 million. If these cuts are implemented, the quality of education and delivery of services at UT will be drastically hurt.  Additionally, these cuts will continue the downward spiral of the recession we face.

The federal economic stimulus bill’s “State Fiscal Stabilization Fund”, along with Tennessee’s rainy day fund, should be utilized to help offset these massive cuts.  These funds must be used as a bridge to better economic times.  Additionally, there is a push in the legislature right now to close loopholes in corporate tax reporting, which could generate several hundred million dollars to stave off cuts. 

If cuts must be made, efforts should be focused on cutting from the top down.  Reductions in pay at the top must occur before reductions in force.  Some peer institutions in the southeast have voluntarily taken 10-20% reductions in pay to offset job cuts.

As citizens we must do all we can to pressure our legislature and Governor and ensure that further cuts to higher education be stopped.  Please take a moment and send a message to Governor Bredesen and members of the legislature, urging them to support Tennessee’s economy by saving higher education!