South Carolina State University could be $2 million short of meeting its budget after fall enrollment fell 250 students shy of expectations.

President Dr. George Cooper said he will present the S.C. State board with options on how to cope with the shortfall next Thursday. He declined to provide any details on what those options might be following a special called board meeting.

As of Tuesday, there were 4,852 students on campus. This year’s $75.2 million budget was based on 5,102 students matriculating at S.C. State. Cooper said that target was set to meet the board’s goal of enrolling 6,000 students by 2014.

But he says all hope is not lost with the 2009-2010 budget.

Cooper said there are an additional 400 students in the system currently trying to work out their financial situations. Registration ended on Monday.

Senior Vice President of Finance John Smalls said S.C. State has financial aid available for those students. He said very few students will be turned away for financial reasons.

“We’ll work with those students,” Cooper said.

Cooper said the university will ask students who can’t enroll now to consider doing so next semester.

Smalls said any budget cuts enacted due to the shortfall would apply for the entire year. The university is also planning for the possibility that the State Budget and Control Board will require agencies to take another 4 percent cut.

S.C. State has lost $8 million in state funding since last summer. To cope with that, the university has laid off employees, instituted a mandatory furlough and slashed expenses on items such as travel.

Cooper said the economic downturn was partially responsible for the shortfall, in addition to increased competition for financial aid.

Trustee Martha Smith said she has a hard time believing the decision to move the duties of the Office of Student Retention and Success to a different department didn’t contribute to the shortfall.

Looking directly at Cooper, Smith said, “I would strongly look at reconstituting that committee. I would like you to take a second look.”

The board met for 4.5 hours in executive session to discuss legal matters. After emerging from executive session, the board added a discussion of the enrollment situation to the agenda.

Smith called it, “a matter of very serious concern.”

Trustee Reggie Gallant asked the administration to consider putting strategies together now to deal with a potential student shortfall next semester.

Cooper said the recommendations he brings to the board next week will provide long-term solutions.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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