by KERRY ZIMMERMAN
Intern News Reporter

Fewer classes in the upcoming school year may delay graduation for some students.
Budget cuts across the board have negatively affected Appalachian State University’s ability to sustain the increase of students next year.

The decrease in funding will limit the development of new classes in all university departments, and approximately 200 fewer classes will be offered next year.

Though the actual budget cut remains unknown at this time, the current estimate is a 7 percent reduction.

This totals to over an $8 million loss in funding.

Appalachian is preparing for an 8 percent cut.

“We’re building some cushion in,” Vice Provost for Resource Management Timothy H. Burwell said. “We’re trying to stay ahead.”

Thirty-four vacant faculty positions may remain unfilled, disabling departments to create new course sections because of a staff shortage, Interim Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Greg M. Lovins said.

Fewer course sections means fewer students can take courses they need for graduation.

“It’s going to put a damper on a lot of students being able to graduate in four years,” Philip P. Schneider, Student Government Association treasurer said.
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Stan R. Aeschleman said the administration has three options.

They can cut the number of sections of a course, increase the class size in sections overall or increase the faculty workload.

If faced with a greater reduction in funds, it may be any combination of those, he said.

Burwell recommends students work closely with their advisors to preempt effects.

If situations do arise, he advises students to talk to the appropriate dean and department chairs to meet individual needs.

Despite the poor economy, N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue included enrollment growth funding in her proposed budget.

The governor has sent her budget to the North Carolina General Assembly for approval.

This is good news for Appalachian, as it will minimize the impact of the budget cut. In previous years, a poor economy meant the university could not receive this funding.

Aeschlman, who remains optimistic, said, “I would hope at the end of next year that if you ask students on campus, they would say that they didn’t detect any changes.”

Student services funded by the state, such as Belk Library & Information Commons and university maintenance, may suffer with a decrease in funding and staff, Lovins said. 

Dino Dibernardi, associate vice chancellor for student development, assured resources funded by student fees, such as Plemmons Student Union, Mary S. Shook Student Health Services and the

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