This summer, the Rutgers Board of Governors approved a universitywide budget that includes $50 million in cuts, affecting virtually all academic and administrative operations at Rutgers. These reductions have led departments across the university to take potent and far-reaching measures to cope with the cuts and maintain the quality of a Rutgers education.

The state budget adopted in July left Rutgers with a $66 million shortfall in state funding, the largest in university history. Other mandatory cost increases took the budget shortfall to $80 million. The result thus far is the cancellation of approximately 450 course sections, the phasing out of six intercollegiate varsity sports, 185 layoffs or eliminated positions, and a reduction in services and delayed improvements to campus facilities.

The board also established tuition, fee, and room and board rates for the 2006-2007 academic year. Total charges for a typical in-state undergraduate student living on campus will rise by 6.7 percent. Tuition for most in-state undergraduates will increase 8 percent, to $7,923 for the coming year. Out-of-state tuition will rise 10 percent. Due to inadequate state funding, tuition at Rutgers has increased more than 65 percent since fiscal year 2000.