NMSU in ‘survival mode’

New Mexico State University is facing several financial setbacks looking ahead to the new fiscal year.

On Friday, during the Board of Regents meeting, NMSU’s chancellor hinted at the idea of a possible tuition increase.

“I will tell the Regents, you will have to help us in the coming session with tuition. We cannot continue ourselves to prosperity, we just can not,” he said.

The university is looking at every outlet to stay afloat financially, forcing them to cut jobs and possibly reduce department sizes.

“This is all about survival, there is no reallocation at all. We are just trying to get our NMSU budget and expenditures down to a budget that reaches our revenue,” said Chancellor Gary Corruthers.

According to the chancellor, 37 people have been laid off. Corruther’s said it’s turned into an uncomfortable situation for several university employees who are fearing job loss.

The university is also looking at reducing certain departments among the colleges, which they say may increase savings.

Another hit may come as the university is expecting a 1.5 percent to 2 percent reduction in the 2017 budget, due to fewer dollars coming from the state.

Regents made no indication that they would increase tuition.