Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget office recommended an 8 percent reduction in state funding for all state colleges back in November, as part of his new legislative budget for the 2013 fiscal year. 

As a smaller university compared with the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, some Wichita State students are worried about a greater financial struggle should this legislation be approved by the legislature. 

“I feel like with complete renewal of the student center, this won’t bode well for students,” junior Ryan Attaria said. “Maybe if they had known [the cuts] were a possibility, then maybe it would have been best to hold off on the construction until things looked better.” 

However, WSU President John Bardo is not worried about the cuts and feels they will not negatively impact WSU. 

“We won’t know anything for another three months,” he said. “It’s a long process.” 

Brownback’s plan of cutting state aid to colleges by 8 percent would cause a $267 million dollar shortcoming for the school’s 2013 fiscal budget. Currently, WSU receives almost 24 percent of its budget from the state. Still, Bardo has told faculty and staff to plan the same as they did last year. 

He said that he did not foresee any monumental shifts in the budget that would affect WSU negatively and that the governor’s advice is the to keep the budget flat. 

However, students seem to believe that cuts are a possibility and should be taken seriously. Some think that cuts may affect tuition fees to make up the college’s revenue. 

“If the cuts raise tuition, poor people couldn’t afford to go to college,” sophomore Josh Wills said. “But due to the mill levy tax from 1965, Wichita State could be a competitive advantage compared to other institutions, and could see a raise in admissions and enrollment.” 

Wills is referring to the tax charged to Wichita residents that funnels back into the school. 

“Lawrence doesn’t give money to KU, Manhattan doesn’t give money to KSU, but Wichita citizens give money to Wichita State.” 

Bardo already has a plan to potentially increase enrollment, which involves the development of new dorms and placing quality of education as the main selling point. Also, by enhancing student research through programs like National Institute of Aviation Research and the biochemistry department, new advancements in technology would make WSU more appealing to prospective students. 

Students, too, have an idea about what the college could do in the event of a substantial budget cut. Wills believes the administration should foster a partnership program where local businesses would work to fulfill the needs of students off campus. Attaria said that the only option he sees that would not be detrimental to students would be to cut any needless spending. 

The budget will be voted on over the next few months and soon the university will have its answer as to whether there will be for sure budget cuts or if it does not have to worry. At this point, Bardo is confident that there is no reason to believe the college will lose any money.