Birmingham, AL – Chancellor Malcolm Portera said the University of Alabama system plans to cut about 300 jobs and cancel construction projects.
Speaking at the Rotary Club of Birmingham, Portera said Wednesday the cutbacks were a result of the state's shrinking education budget.
He said the cuts will be spread across the system's campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa.
Portera said the system also aims to lure more out-of-state students to the Tuscaloosa campus, boost fundraising efforts and seek tuition increases.
The state legislature's education budget included an 11 percent drop in funding for public universities.
Portera said the Alabama system is facing a shortfall of $75 million to $80 million.
He does expect record enrollment at the Tuscaloosa campus this fall.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)