Last Year’s Mizzou Protests Caused 1,500 Fewer Students To Enroll And $32 Million Budget Gap

El Taco10 years ago

If you were wondering what the price of eradicating racism is, roughly $32 million is your answer.

Wait. I’m being told racism DOES still exist in America. I repeat, racism DOES still exist in America and no, Mizzou cannot get its money back.

Mizzou Interim Chancellor Hank Foley announced on Wednesday the university is projecting a $32 million budget gap next year due to 1,500 fewer students enrolling at the university. Yeah, supposedly when your school is the poster boy for crybaby college students and a national embarrassment, it doesn’t look so good to prospective students. Who knew?!

Foley said in a memo, transcribed in the Columbian Tribune:

Dear university community—

I am writing to you today to confirm that we project a very significant budget shortfall due to an unexpected sharp decline in first-year enrollments and student retention this coming fall. I wish I had better news.

The anticipated declines—which total about 1,500 fewer students than current enrollment at MU— in addition to a small number of necessary investments are expected to leave us with an approximate $32 million budget gap for next year. A smaller entering freshman class will have continuing impact on finances as they progress toward their degrees at MU. I must also point out that this shortfall does not take into account any additional budget losses that might come from a decline in the state appropriation for next year. As you know the state appropriation proposal to date would keep MU flat, but the UM System appropriation could be reduced by $7.6 million or more.

I’ve read my share of press releases and memos in my day. That’s about as grim as it gets.

Mizzou went from the second largest freshman class in university history in 2014 (6,546 students) to whatever this is. It’s a dumpster fire. It’s a racehorse with a broken leg. It’s an absolute joke.

And the fallout is far from over. Ever heard of a thing called “ESPN Films: 30 for 30?”

That’s right. Spike Lee is making a 30 For 30 film about the Mizzou football team and the protests. My gut tells me Mizzou will not be portrayed in a positive light.

Maybe I’m being too negative, though.

We gon’ be alright, Foley..

[via Columbian Tribune]

Image via YouTube