UH already faced significant budget cuts before the governor announced monday that another nearly $700,000,000 had to be slashed through 3 day-a-month furloughs or their budget equivalent costs across all state departments.
UH Manoa spokesman Gregg Takayama says, "It would impact our operations at UH manoa severely, so what we do know is everything has to be on the table."
Based on administration numbers the university system statewide will have to slash about $140,000,000 in expenses over 2 years. About $30,000,000 each year will come out of the Manoa campus budget alone.
Along with previous cuts, it's a total $50,000,000 a year less.
"Everything on our campus from athletics to classrooms to academics will be on the table for consideration," says Takayama.
Payroll makes up 70 to 75 % of the budget so academic resources are sure to be targeted, there could be larger classes or fewer courses. Students say it's already hard enough to get the courses they need.
Finance major, Kit Cheung says, "Students don't want to delay their graduation date. I know there's a lot of classes they have already cut out."
The menu of majors themselves could shrink.
"They would most likely be the majors and courses that have the fewest number of students interested in them," says Takayama.
Psychology & Communications major, Mark O'Connor says, "That would totally take away from the college experience and really figuring out what you really want to do."
UH President David Mcclain said "The students and communities we serve...are relying on us more than ever to continue to educate and innovate."
Fees may have to rise.
Students agree the $7,000 a year in-state tuition is a bargain and say they're not unwilling to pay more but, "I would hate to pay more and receive less, that just doesn't make any sense," says O'Connor.
UH regents have control over other options such as raising the 30% ceiling on out of state students.
They pay about twice the in-state tuition.
