STATEMENT FROM THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY REGARDING THE OHIO BUDGET BALANCING EFFORTS

COLUMBUS -- We regret, as we know the governor does, that he is forced to make these cuts to bring the FY 2003 budget into balance. Reductions of this magnitude - $7.7 million on top of the nearly $30 million in cuts that have already been taken - will be an additional blow to Ohio's already crippled economy.

These cuts are the equivalent of:

• Nearly 1,700 class sections at 45 seats per class;

• 153 full-time equivalent employees at an average $50,000 in
salary and benefits;

• 1,407 full tuition scholarships for Ohio residents.

While we would not take cuts in this way in order to protect as much as possible our students and our academic core, reductions of this level will make it more difficult for us to help our students graduate on time and become productive Ohio citizens.