UTEP president: Funding for higher education is in a downward spiral TX and NM universities facing budget cuts - Stephanie Guadian, KVIA

A downward spiral. That is how UTEP President Dr. Diana Natalicio described the decline in state financial support for higher education institutions. It was a sentiment shared by NMSU's President Dr. Garrey Carruthers at a town hall organized by the El Paso Times that was held on the UTEP campus. The two panelists were joined by El Paso Community College President Dr. William Serrata and Dr. Richard Lange, president of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - El Paso. Organizers said the status and future of higher education is an important conversation to have in the middle of a legislative session. Lawmakers are trying to slash billions of dollars before June amid the prolonged oil price slump that has stung state coffers. Higher education and Medicaid are among the targeted cuts. http://www.kvia.com/news/el-paso/utep-president-higher-education-is-in-a-downward-spiral/446018760