The Board of Regents for Higher Education has heard from the leaders of the universities that they oversee about propose budget cuts from the state.  Western Connecticut State University President James Schmotter spent about half an hour testifying this week.  $3 million is on the chopping block from West Conn's $123 million operating budget. 

Three graduate level programs have been cancelled.  They are the Master degrees in Teaching, Health Administration and Justice Administration.  Class sizes are likely to increase across the board as West Conn has been in a hiring freeze.  11 faculty and 8 other positions will go unfilled. 

Fall enrollment is projected to be the same or lower than this year.

Schmotter warned of shorter hours at the library reference desk and longer wait times for IT assistance. 

Tuition is slated to increase 4.8 percent systemwide.