By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Leaders of Auburn University and the University of Alabama system held a historic meeting Wednesday to warn against proposed budget cuts.
The administrators warned that the schools wouldn't be able to draw enough funds from other sources to avoid jeopardizing programs that have benefited students and the state.
Auburn President Jay Gogue said his school faces big cuts in funding for scholarships and research, The Birmingham News reported on its Web site.
University of Alabama System Chancellor Malcolm Portera said claims the two university systems could survive the cuts by using endowment funds or raising tuition are false. He said the use of endowment money is restricted and that the two systems couldn't raise tuition enough to offset the cuts, which total 130 million dollars.
Governor Bob Riley has proposed cuts of about 14 percent for higher education. State leaders have said the cuts are needed because revenue flows have dropped as the economy has slowed.
The leaders of the schools said Wednesday's meeting was the first time any of them can remember trustees from both schools meeting on a matter of mutual concern.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)