Despite state revenue projections that were even worse than expected, higher education is not likely to suffer further significant reductions, according Sen. Moe Keller, chair of the Joint Budget Committee.

Keller said Monday that because a stipulation of the federal stimulus funds given to the state’s higher education institutions is that Colorado not cut its higher education spending below 2005 levels, there can be no more cuts without jeopardizing the stimulus dollars. The legislature cut the funding to the required level during the 2009 session.

At the June 23 Foundation Board meeting, President Stephen Jordan said that the College is in the same position financially that it was before the latest projections.

Jordan has previously announced that Metro State is facing a permanent $10 million reduction in its base budget – which equates to 20 percent – after two years when the one-time federal stimulus money is no longer available.

Jordan’s strategy to address this funding crisis is to begin now to “right-size” the College through the Tier I-III reductions and other avenues such as capping enrollment. He said that he intends to use the stimulus money to help the College prepare for the reduction through technology.

To read more about the budget, go to http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/artman/publish/townhall_twv6050709.shtml.