Online Classes Could Hit Revenue For Georgia Universities

Losing more revenue could be hard for the 330,000-student system, after lawmakers cut state funding by 10% as part of overall budget cuts and regents chose not to raise tuition in the spring.

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Georgia’s 26 public universities could lose nearly $500 million in room, board and student fees if no students return to campus this fall, according to information obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via a public records request.

The University System of Georgia made the estimates as some faculty, staff and students pressure administrators to conduct all classes online, or at least offer that as an option, in an effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 infections.

Regents and University System Chancellor Steve Wrigley have consistently called for all universities to offer in-person instruction. Professors have said that administrators are requiring them to offer at least some in-person sessions, although many classes may be partly online.