USF’s budget crisis unites Democrats and Republican in the House

Posted Feb 15, 2012 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated Feb 15, 2012 at 03:54 PM

It seems one harmonious thing has come out of the Senate budget proposal to slash USF’s funding.

It’s united Democrats and Republicans in the House.

State Rep. Shawn Harrison, a Republican representing Temple Terrace, and Janet Cruz, a Tampa Democrat have both pledged to fight the proposed cuts.

“These cuts are greater and deeper for the University of South Florida than any other institution of higher education. Importantly, the House budget contains no such devastating cuts to USF and I am working with my fellow legislators to address and solve this potential crisis for the University of South Florida and the Tampa Bay area,” said Harrison, a USF graduate, in a statement.

Wrote Cruz: “Senator J.D. Alexander, the Senate budget chairman, has clearly targeted USF. It is disappointing that some of his colleagues in the Senate approved his vindictive budget proposal.

“Today, I call on members of the Florida House of Representatives to stand up in bipartisan fashion and defend the University of South Florida.’’

The Senate Budget Committee is discussing the entire budget today, including cuts to USF and the other universities.

USF stands to lose $79 million from its base budget. An additional $49 million is on the chopping block if another proposal goes through creating a new university in Polk County.

Altogether it amounts to about 60 percent of USF’s state funding. It has the option of raising tuition by 15 percent but that wouldn’t come close to plugging the gap.

USF has mobilized students, faculty, alumni and supporters across the state to flood lawmakers with pleas for moderation.

The USF Alumni Association has created a petition. You can find it here.

All the universities would lose in the senate proposal but USF’s share expands with the additional costs related to the new university proposal.