Spring classes at Oklahoma colleges resume amid funding uncertainty

Spring semester classes begin Tuesday at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, despite uncertainty about funding for public higher education.

Halfway through the current fiscal year, lawmakers have not yet resolved a $215 million shortfall triggered by the loss of cigarette fee revenue that was ruled unconstitutional. Higher education's $773 million appropriation could be cut by millions of dollars, depending on the final budget resolution.

Chancellor Glen Johnson has encouraged college presidents to make the point to their area lawmakers that funding for higher education has been cut 25 percent over the past three years, the most of any state entity, and "additional cuts would be very difficult."

Meanwhile, the spring semester already has begun at several institutions, where classes resume Tuesday following Monday's holiday.

Read more: http://newsok.com/spring-classes-at-oklahoma-colleges-resume-amid-funding-uncertainty/article/5579669