20 Percent Of UW Budget Could Be Cut

Cuts in student enrollment and faculty positions at the University of Washington could happen if proposed budget cuts go through, said President Mark Emmert at a town meeting Tuesday.

Students will tell you money is already tight at the University of Washington.

Senior Bobby Hoang didn't get into a graduate program in Civil Engineering for financial reasons.

"The reason I couldn't get in is because it was limited budget in the research project at the civil engineering department," Hoang said.

Junior David Turnipseed has trouble finding a working computer in the Odegaard Library.

"Right now, most of the computers in Odegaard are broken and I have to walk around for 10-15 minutes while I'm trying to get school work done just to get a computer to use," he said.

Emmert said there's even more belt-tightening on the horizon.

The governor proposes cutting the UW budget by 13 percent -- a Senate committee wants to know what would happen if nearly 20 percent of the budget was slashed.

"There’s no doubt that what we're faced with now is a very, very trying time," Emmert said.

Budget cuts could mean enrollment cuts of 850 to 2,000 students and faculty and staff cuts between 600 and 800 positions.

With fewer instructors, it could take longer to earn a degree -- another one or two quarters.

"Waiting for classes to come around is, like, you need to know, get all your requirements in. So if they don't offer that class and you have to wait until next fall, it might take you an extra year to get out with your degree," said UW senior Julia Grant.

When asked if he would consider cutting his own salary, Emmert said, “At this point, everything is on the table.”