School cuts leave Clark Atlanta University students with questions ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Today, Clark Atlanta University President Carlton Brown planned to hold a town hall meeting with students.

He'll try to explain why classes were canceled Friday and today and why 100 faculty and staff lost their jobs. It's a question students are burning to get answered.

At 10 this morning, Benjamin Cooper was standing on the CAU Promenade with his classmates. Normally, the graduating senior would be behind a desk.

COOPER: "Yeah, in fact Willie Todd's class meets right here at 10 o'clock.

Willie Todd is an English Professor who was laid off.

CAU says the cuts were unwanted but necessary. They're concerned the economic downtown will mean fewer students can afford to attend. Tuition, fees, room and board can cost a CAU student over 20 thousand dollars a year. The school is trying to cut costs now to avoid massive layoffs. That's a dilemma Cooper understands. What he doesn't get is why Professors like Todd are gone.

COOPER: "Professor Todd is responsible for black voices, a play that's put on every year at the school from which all the proceeds are donated to the college. He's a mentor to dozens if not hundreds of students.

Cooper is gaining signatures on a petition to bring back Todd and other beloved Professors. They hope to get some answers right now. However, many of them couldn't wait that long. They surrounded school President Brown on campus earlier today and fired off questions.

CAU STUDENT: "So, basically the problem is that we didn't have enough money to pay these teachers? Is that it?"
BROWN: "Dr. Brown: No, listen carefully to what I'm saying. Maintain financial position. You don't go hand to mouth. In other words, we can't live as an institution if I get the money today and pay it to you tomorrow. That doesn't work."

Brown also said CAU needs money on hand for federal grants and contracts.

BROWN: " all of those are on reimbursement basis meaning you pay first then they reimburse you. If you don't have that money, then you don't get that grant."

Brown says it would also put in jeopardy endowments and financial aid, which most students rely on.

But students say President Brown should have asked for their help in deciding which Professors to keep and which to let go. © Copyright 2012, WABE