SUNO chancellor speaks out against cuts to higher education

As the budget continues to move through the state's legislature, higher educational institutions are expected to see a reduction of more than $200 million in state support. Particularly hard hit are the schools within the Southern University System, the nation's only system of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The five campuses are faced with a budget reduction of $19 million dollars, with SUNO expecting approximately $2.6 less in funding. "Education is the engine that will drive the growth of the middle class here in New Orleans." said Victor Ukpolo, SUNO's Chancellor. "These cuts potentially could cause the loss of faculty or the elimination of programs which in turn mean that fewer students could have the opportunity to build a better life for themselves or their families. Southern University at New Orleans has been growing over the last few years, fighting to rebuild after the impact of the hurricanes nearly seven years ago. To continue to have resources siphoned from us makes our mission to educate much more difficult. The depth of these cuts will resonate far beyond the walls of SUNO. They will be felt by our city and across our state."