This year N.C. Central University will have to learn how to do more with less, as UNC system budget cuts have left the school with a bare cupboard.
Over 65 NCCU staffers were laid off and several programs were abdicated because of the 15 percent cuts which totaled nearly $14 million.
While the school endowment has risen from $17.1 million in 2010 to $19 million in 2011, cuts have steadily been made each year.
Over the last decade, the university has lost over $46 million in budget cuts.
Compared to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida the UNC system has been well supported.
"When you compare North Carolina funding for higher education it has been much better historically than is the case with surrounding states," said Chancellor Charlie Nelms.
According to biology department chair Gregory Cole, "The budget cuts have affected biology in terms of larger class sizes, including having laboratory sections of courses over-capacity.
"Faculty teaching loads have increased, which makes it more difficult for faculty to conduct their research, which is especially vital to junior faculty to satisfy promotion and tenure requirements.
"The budget reductions have also resulted in biology being able to offer less tutoring services to students, which is a campus-wide issue now."
Most affected by the cuts are students who will have to battle oversized classrooms and fewer course sections to select from.
"Budget cuts are affecting students the most," said psychology senior Andrea Barrow. "It's because of the budget cuts that tuition and fees increase which causes students to apply for more financial aid or lighten their load.
"So in essence students will either have to stay longer than they intended or take more loans."
According to Sharon Oliver, director of Scholarship and Aid, state budget cuts will have no effect on financial aid.
"The University held financial aid harmless and did not cut our budget," said Oliver.
According to NCCU alumnus and current representative of North Carolina's District 31 H.M. Michaux, the budget cuts were initially brought to the table by Republicans in the house and have trickled down to the education system.
"This is going to set our education system back 15 years," said Michaux.
Gov. Bev Perdue opposed the higher education cuts to the 16 UNC universities.
In a Sept, 8 press release, she wrote that her priorities are strong schools and more jobs.
"That is why I spoke out against the budget that the Republican leaders in the General Assembly forced upon us in June. North Carolina's public universities are among our state's greatest assets.
"The Republicans legislature's reckless and short-sighted cuts are as damaging as they were unnecessary and avoidable."
With money hard to come by, NCCU and other UNC universities will need all the help they can get.
"State appropriations do not sufficiently cover the rising costs of higher education," said NCCU's Director of Stewardship, Carlos McCall.
"Private donations allow NCCU to provide a high-quality education, student programs, academic services, and research opportunities worthy of an institution that produces first-class citizens."
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