Lindsey Anderson

El Paso Times

EL PASO — New Mexico State University Chancellor Garrey Carruthers spoke publicly about options the university is considering to save money in the wake of ongoing state budget cuts that remain unresolved between the New Mexico Legislature and governor.

The cash-strapped Las Cruces land-grant university is considering merging colleges, cutting programs and evaluating faculty productivity, Carruthers said at a public forum this week.

The comments come after Gov. Susana Martinez on Friday vetoed the state’s entire higher education budget, setting in motion a special session of the Legislature to determine funding for colleges and universities as part passing a state budget of fiscal year 2018. Once the university knows its budget, regents will discuss a possible tuition hike.

"If you're not willing to go through the torture to make it sustainable, you're always going to be looking at (raising) tuition," he said during an El Paso Times Live forum.

Carruthers was one of four college presidents who spoke at the public forum Monday, sponsored by the Times and the University of Texas at El Paso. The panel also included UTEP President Diana Natalicio, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso’s Dr. Richard Lange and El Paso Community College’s William Serrata.

Times Editor Bob Moore moderated the discussion.

Funding cuts

The university leaders said state funding cuts are making colleges and universities less accessible for low-income students and threatening local economies

In Texas, legislators are debating the budget, but drafts crafted by both the Senate and the House include cuts for higher education.

“If we don’t educate more people in our society, we are going to fall behind,” Natalicio said, pointing to increased competition with countries around the world. “This is a global arena. ... It’s critical that, as a society, we begin to get our priorities straight. This is a downward spiral that we’re in. This isn't going to take us in a direction that we're proud of.”

Each president pointed to ways in which state cuts have been absorbed throughout the years to minimize tuition hikes.

Natalicio said UTEP has begun getting into real estate management to bring in money, while Carruthers noted NMSU is reorganizing its departments to be more cost efficient, including removing redundant levels of administration. Last summer, the university cut 89 vacant and 37 filled positions, including professors and an assistant dean.

In Texas, legislators have proposed ordering public colleges and universities to freeze tuition but also suggested slashing their state allocations, by as much as 6 to 10 percent under one plan. Add in President Trump's proposal to trim federal financial aid and research funds, and it becomes a perfect storm for universities facing cuts to all three of their funding sources.

Lange joked that he had an ingenious strategy for getting more federal money: renaming TTUHSC El Paso to "Wall University," a reference to Trump's proposed plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"So when they say, 'we’re going to have $20-$30 billion for the wall,' I’ll say, ‘I’m here! It’s all for us!'” Lange said to laughs.

Jokes aside, the leaders said higher education institutions could be reaching a breaking point if cuts persist. They cautioned that they can only trim so much of their budgets and approve meager employee raises for so long.

"As my mother used to say, you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip," Natalicio said.

Income inequality

For years, state funds have made up a dwindling portion of colleges’ and universities’ budgets.

Lange said those cuts disproportionately affect low-income students, who often are unable to afford college when tuition rises.

He called higher education “the equalizer of great inequality” in American society, while Serrata declared it “the only pathway to the middle class.”

The presidents worried that funding cuts will mean fewer low-income students will be able to access higher education.

Carruthers called on business leaders to step up and lobby legislators and the governor to adequately fund higher education, recognizing it's in their best interest.

Natalicio urged business people and public officials to expand job opportunities for graduates in the region. Of UTEP’s 50,000 graduates from 2001 to now, half have left El Paso for jobs elsewhere, Natalicio said.

The presidents said they’re working with local business leaders to make sure the degree and certificate programs they offer meet the region’s economic needs, something Carruthers acknowledged higher education institutions haven't always been good at.

Lange pointed to Tech’s nursing, medical and future dental programs, which are helping ease the shortage of health care providers in the region.

Serrata urged families and educators in the region to make seeking a higher-education degree the default for residents, not the exception, to lift up the entire region.

"We're on the forefront of addressing income inequality," Serrata said. "We need to make sure we're creating a college-going culture. ... We try to keep tuition and fees as low as possible so that we can have students come in and give themselves a shot to be successful."

Lindsey Anderson may be reached at 915-546-6345; landerson@elpasotimes.com; @l_m_anderson on Twitter.