For the first time in several years, South Carolina State University has projected a balanced budget for the coming year. The budget is based on projected enrollments of 2,650 students. So far 2,513 students have enrolled for the fall semester. University officials hope another 500 students will enroll before classes begin.
The balanced budget came about with some major cuts that will be felt across the university community. Nine buildings will be shut down, including the I.P Stanback Museum and Planetarium. More than a dozen staff members and 23 faculty members have been let go. Existing faculty will be required to add another class section to their workload. All employees will be required to take a 12-day unpaid furlough. Student financial aid has been reduced.
There has been some good news. A greater percentage of the university’s alumni have made donations to the university this year. The state has extended a $6 million loan repayment until 2020. The university received an extra $4 million from the state legislature to pay down some of its longstanding debts. Another $648,817 was allocated by the state that may be used for the demolition of unused buildings on campus or to upgrade the university’s heating systems.
Some of the buildings that are being shut down are being repaired because of. HVAC problems. They will be back in service after the repairs are completed. Hopefully SCSU has hit rock bottom and is now on its way back up.