Editorial by Nikki Shook

Debates have erupted throughout the state because of New Mexico’s $650 million  deficit.  What cuts will have to be made and where?

One possible option: state lawmakers have proposed budget cuts in education, which would include New Mexico State University.

According to Forbes.com, “New Mexico’s public schools, colleges and state agencies could face 3.5 percent budget cuts and 2.5 percent salary reductions under a legislative proposal.”

It is angering to know that education can lose value once the state is in debt. Not only will the proposed education cuts affect young children, it will also affect us as college students.

Currently, our university has an abundance of interims.  There is an interim president, an interim provost, an interim associate provost, an interim department head of engineering, and an interim program director/department head in journalism; do I need to mention more?

If the state cuts the education budget as proposed and instructor salaries go down or remain the same (without raises), our university will lose another year without a consistent, set-in-stone administration and leadership.

The proposed budget cuts and salary reductions will only lead to a lack of applicants for teaching jobs and permanent positions remaining in the hands of interims. It’s probably quite difficult to promote jobs on a sinking ship.

As students, we are paying to learn. We are paying for the chance that when we leave NMSU, we can be successful in our field of study. Therefore, we need good, solid, educated instructors who want to be here.

The state legislature is still considering this issue; let’s hope the members realize the necessity of a great education and negotiate a different route.