VCU facing $21 million budget cut - Karin Kapsidelis Richmond Times-Dispatch

Virginia Commonwealth University is preparing to cut $21 million from its budget over the next two years to help the state meet an estimated $881 million revenue shortfall. After a similar mandate to other state agencies last week, Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office notified public colleges and universities Wednesday to submit strategies to cut their operating budgets by 5 percent this fiscal year and 7 percent next year. The memo to the rectors and presidents of the schools cautioned them not to shift the burden to students. “We have received word from the governor’s office that the budget cuts announced earlier for state agencies will apply to all institutions of higher education in Virginia. The cuts are deep and immediate,” VCU President Michael Rao said in a message Thursday to the university community. http://www.roanoke.com/hold/news/vcu-facing-million-budget-cut/article_8e824ad9-3d53-5131-9a83-6c71486fd2d5.html