Missouri State University President Clif Smart took to Twitter after Missouri Governor Eric Greitens announced his proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which begins in July. The $28.8 billion budget includes a reduction of at least $68 million for public colleges and universities.
According to Smart, $8.6 million would be cut from Missouri State under the proposed budget, which is a 10 percent reduction over last year’s budget. The university received 6.5 percent cut last year. Smart said, if the budget passes as is, “both services and tuition/fees will be impacted.”
Missouri Senator Caleb Rowden expressed concern about the cuts to higher education after Greitens rolled out his proposed budget.
In a statement, the Republican from Columbia said, despite legislators’ commitment to funding increases, the state’s colleges and universities have seen their funds decrease due to inflation and executive withholds.
Rowden said, “we cannot continue to balance the budget on the backs of students.” Rowden called students “the future workers and job creators Missouri desperately needs to cultivate,” and he said the budget cuts would hinder the state’s ability to compete.
"I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass a budget that better reflects Missourians' priorities," he said.
