36 Job losses, tuition increases, budget reductions: JCJC , PRCC cope with state cuts - Ellen Ciurczak , American

Jesse Smith, Jones County Junior College president, will take on a new role when school starts in August. Like other administrators and master's degree'd employees, he will become an academic coach to about 15 students. But, Smith didn't feel so good about the state cutback of 5.4 percent or $1.96 million for 2017-18. It came after a series of three other cuts dating back to 2015, totaling more than $2.2 million. In addition to raising tuition to $1,740 a semester, Smith had to lay off 15 workers and eliminate 15 positions through attrition to save $1.15 million. He also reduced operating budgets across the board. "We have to show a strong financial position in order to be reaccredited and that is extremely difficult," he said. "That's why we raised tuition. That's why we're being very conservative. "We don't want to jeopardize our reaccreditation position." http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/education/2017/06/25/job-losses-tuition-increases-budget-reductions-jcjc-prcc-cope-state-cuts/423541001/