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South Carolina is presently facing the biggest fund crisis in history. Almost every University and state assisted college here is asked to heavily cut down on budget with a steep drop in funding due to recession.

The Board of Economic Advisors has recently announced a cut of millions for the 2009/2010 Fiscal year, which further reinforces the fact that the economic crisis is nowhere near its end. Long term budget woes can certainly not be eliminated by stimulus funding which can only provide temporary relief.

There will be a significant impact from the $39 million cut at Clemson University and $55 million cut at the University of South Carolina. With the withering of research projects, revenue will further dwindle. Choice of academic majors for students of South Carolina will be severely limited resulting in an irreversible alteration of technical schools, universities and state colleges in this State.

There is a limit on the extent to which the educational institutions can absorb cuts in funding and consistently strive to provide the same accessibility to students and protect its core mission. This continuing trend will result in severely hampering educational access to South Carolina students.

Challenges foster situations which can be capitalized on as opportunities for improvement. Here, educational institutions can look into strategic collaboration. For instance, the University of South Carolina and the Clemson University can collaborate to a larger extent through combined classes, distance education, academic program cooperation and joint research initiatives. This is the only way in which limited resources for higher education can be harnessed to the maximum extent as collaboration will save cost as well as enhance efficiency.

However, it is imperative to bring to the attention of elected leaders, the funding crisis in one of the most important sectors which requires efficient and trained educated workforce such as community leaders, teachers, engineers and physicians. Only an educated society can further contribute to economic development. The state needs more number of engineers and scientists to push the economy towards prosperity and improve the employment rate.

It is highly important for the State leaders to develop strategies and devise methods to rope in investments for bringing the higher education scenario back to life and ensure that there are enough jobs for the citizens. This is the only means of enhancing quality of life in South Carolina.

During these difficult times, South Carolina is facing a highly difficult and challenging budgetary and fiscal environment. It is extremely difficult analyzing and determining what higher education priorities require funding and where the budget can be axed. However, it is very important being diligently committed to getting the field of higher education here back on its feet.

Percentage of four year degrees in South Carolina is 43 in the nation and the State’s present per capita income is 43rd. This clearly indicates that economic development is directly affected by higher education and this situation must change on an urgent basis. The Palmetto State must be improved upon and bettered by leaders who are steadfast in their commitment towards fine tuning the higher education system.