Colson says universities now close to fat free - John Kennedy, Post on Politics

=University budget cuts loom and the Legislature is divided over talk of tuition increases. But Dean Colson, chairman of the State University System’s Board of Governors, said Thursday that lawmakers’ criticism overlooks the level of belt-tightening Florida’s 11 public universities have already endured. “I understand the need to push us to make cuts to get rid of fat,” Colson said, after testifying before the House Education Committee. “But the last four years, we’ve gotten rid of $500 million worth of fat, so I’m not sure there’s that much fat left.” The Senate budget committee approved a state spending plan Wednesday that reduces state support for universities by $400 million, including a $47 million cut for Florida Atlantic University. The FAU reduction amounts to about one-third of the school’s operating budget.