Gaining admission to the University of Florida will become even harder as it slashes undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 students, lays off 138 faculty and staff members, and eliminates some courses and degree programs to make up for the loss of $47 million in state money.

The sweeping cuts announced Monday by UF President Bernie Machen reflect the pressure all 11 of Florida's public universities are under to trim ongoing costs because of declining state revenues.

David Denslow, a UF economics professor, said he thinks Florida schools may have to endure tough times for a few more years and worried about the erosion of quality.

"If you let quality deteriorate over a period of three of fours years, it is hard to build it back," Denslow said.

UF will cut jobs, slash enrollment - Orlando Sentinel - May 6, 2008