During a live, joint appearance on WFPL radio’s State of Affairs program, Ramsey, University of Kentucky President Lee Todd and Jefferson Community and Technical College President Tony Newberry discussed budget issues and programs to improve graduation rates and help transfer students.
Kentucky’s colleges and universities have suffered nine state budget cuts in the past 10 years, and the three noted that there is a realistic prospect that their institutions ultimately will be hit with more state budget cuts during 2010.
All three said their top budgetary priority is to provide raises for faculty and staff whose salaries have been frozen for two years.
Other priorities include money for new construction and expansion.
Ramsey said the top item on UofL’s construction wish list is a new classroom building to help ease the classroom shortage. UK wants a new research building, according to Todd, while Newberry said JCTC is looking for cash to buy property in downtown to Louisville to expand its campus.
UofL is moving forward and not throwing in the towel despite repeated and expected budget cuts, Ramsey said.
Metro TV taped the interview for broadcast Jan. 23, 8 p.m., on Insight Cable channel 25.
