Oklahoma higher education officials say proposed budget cuts to the state's college and universities could have devastating consequences for the schools and their students.
Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson led a delegation of college officials who outlined the impact of proposed budget cuts Tuesday for members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
State lawmakers have said budget cuts to higher education institutions and other state-supported services are likely due to a projected $611 million budget shortfall the state will face in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Oklahoma's higher education budget has fallen 6 percent over the past eight years, from more than $1 billion in 2008 to $987.5 million this year. Johnson says a proposed 7.9 percent cut would reduce the budget by an additional $74.1 million next year.
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