Ga. University System Faces Huge Budget Cuts

ATLANTA - State universities are at risk of hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts.

Governor Sonny Perdue has said budget cuts to the state's higher education system called for by state lawmakers go way too far.

The state's 35 public colleges and universities are bracing for as much as $565 million.

From a packed meeting at Kennesaw State University -- filled with parents, faculty and students -- to a rally at Georgia Highlands College in Cartersville, the worry was the same -- how affordable a public education will be after state budget cuts.

"If these budget cuts go through and tuition gets raised, I'm not gonna be able to afford this. My dad can't work, he's disabled, my mom works from open to close, I have three little brothers and a little sister," said one concerned citizen.

Governor Sonny Perdue said, "Somebody ought to be asking the question, when are we going put higher education in the unaffordable category for average middle class parents?"

Governor Sonny Perdue has said funding cuts to the state's higher education system called for by state lawmakers go way too far -- those cuts to the state's 35 public colleges and universities could total more than $565 million.

"Under my administration we will not dismantle a world class university system we spent over two decades to build up," said Perdue.

House and senate leaders said they will work to minimize the cuts -- but also add that sacrafices need to be made to make up for a $1 billion budget deficit.

"The last thing any of us want to do is dismantle the system of higher education. That's one of the shining stars we have in the state of Georgia. We want higher education to improve and be made the best," said State Sen. Seth Harp, R-Midland.