Appalachian State University officials are calling the budget proposal passed Wednesday by the North Carolina House "disappointing." The House's 17.7 percent reduction to the university budget would create a "very serious" situation at ASU, Susan McCracken, director of external affairs and community relations, said Thursday.
Last month, ASU Chancellor Kenneth Peacock said the then 15.5 percent proposed cut, if passed, would result in 200 job losses and tuition increases. "The way it stands now is frightening," he said then. "It is absolutely frightening." ASU officials on Thursday could not say exactly how the new 17.7 percent figure would impact that initial assessment, but "we're still looking at job cuts," McCracken said. The 17.7 percent cut would equate to more than $25 million. "A cut almost at 20 percent, these are real positions and real people," she said.
