State budget cuts may terminate 600 UT employees - Caitlin Perrone, the Horn

The University of Texas may be forced to eliminate up to 600 jobs if the Texas Legislature cuts school funding for higher education by 10 percent, President Bill Powers told The Statesman. Gov. Rick Perry has asked Texas public colleges and universities to prepare for a 10 percent cut in state funding for the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years. According to Powers, this cut in funding would cost UT $29 million per year, lose the University 600 jobs, increase student-faculty ratios and give students fewer course sections. Powers appeared before the members of UT’s governing board to describe the impact the projected decline in funds will have on the university.