University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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m Legis Right by Jennifer Stephens The University tower faces south. It overlooks a view of downtown Austin. Most prominent along this growing horizon is the State Capitol, a granite and marble building that is only .5 miles from the University buildings bordering Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Capitol became so familiar to students that no one thought much about it. The building was just a historical site to take the parents to when visiting Austin or a structure to drive by after partying on Sixth Street. In September though, the Capitol and its occupants took on a whole new meaning to students. In a special session called by then governor Mark White to solve the problem of the growing state deficit, the legislature passed budget cuts that greatly affected the entire UT system. Funding to public colleges and universities was reduced by 10.5%. Translated to the University, these cuts resulted in budget reductions of more than $27 million. Declining oil and gas receipts caused the revenue shortages. Because of these drastic shortages in oil and gas and their importance to the budget, Texas was one of only five states to cut state tax funds for higher education. Budget cuts, although not as drastic, had been occurring for some time. In July, White said more cuts would be Funding to public colleges and universities was reduced by 10.5%. Translated to the University, these cuts resulted in budget reductions of more than $27 million. TEXAS SIZE CELEBRATION: Spectators gather for the inauguration of Governor Bill Clements. In the fall, Governor Mark White cut the amount of state funds to be given to higher education. made, but that the state would not be starting from scratch. We have been operating under austerity measures for nearly two years, White said. To lessen the impact of the budget cuts, the legislature gave the Board of Regents the authority to transfer funds from one school to another. As a result, the Board distributed $7.95 million of University funds among six UT system academic institutions. Offsetting the transfer, the Regents moved $6 million to the University, and $ 1 .4 million was acquired by the refun- ding of tuition revenue binds. According to Frank Graydon, System budget director, the Regents chose to draw funds from the University because the school has sources of income from earnings on the PUF (Permanent University Fund). Within the University, funds could be transferred from one department to another as needed due to a ruling by the Legislature. We do have the flexibility to transfer between various budget-line items, so we can set the institutions priorities, G. Charles Franklin, UT vice-president said. To help turn the state ' s economy around, the legislature had looked north to the University, the results of these changes could affect the future of higher education in Texas for years to come.

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A CAPITOL VIEW: From the Observation Deck on top of the Tower, the Austin skyline does not appear as threatening. Most of the high rise con- struction that has been going on for a few yean has ended, and Austin ' s skyline is once again uncluttered.

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rity to transfer fa ) another. As a rest acquired by the ivenue binds. Frank Graydon,Sy