Budget cuts facing the University of Wisconsin System under Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal will force UW-Whitewater to reduce its budget by $5 million for 2009-10.
The UW System faces a $174 million budget cut during the next two years.
"We've identified a set of principles that we're trying to use to make sure we are keeping our priorities straight," Chancellor Richard Telfer said. "We are working on ways we can address the issue while causing as few problems as possible."
Specifics on what will be cut are not known, but $3.2 million will be money from the state that the university will not receive. Auxiliary accounts, which include entertainment, food and board services, will be reduced by $1.4 million. Another $400,000 will be cut from various other accounts the university has.
The Strategic Planning and Budget Committee, which is in charge of what will be cut, hopes to make some specific decisions this month on what will be cut.
"We would like to get this resolved, so people can go on with the work they need to do," Telfer said.
UW-Whitewater and the state of Wisconsin are not alone as many other states face similar cuts. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 28 states have implemented budget cuts to public colleges and universities for this year and next.
Telfer said he is not certain whether this will affect the jobs of professors on campus.
"We want to stay from instructional cuts as much as possible," Telfer said. "We're going to have people here and they need to be taught."
Telfer said to expect another increase with tuition next year.
Senior Steve Traub said it is getting harder and harder every year as the cost of schooling continues to rise.
"I'm pretty disappointed, it is hard for a self-sufficient student to keep up with the raises," he said. "I can't even get a loan."
"What I understand from the discussion is that there will be a modest increase in the nature of 5.5-6 percent," Telfer said.
Tuition for the UW System increased 5.5 percent the last two years.
The board of regents will determine what the tuition rate will be set at for the next school year in June.
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