As of now, it's no secret that the faculty and staff of Morehead State aren't going to be on campus for Spring Break. This isn't some happy vacation, it's a forced and unpaid furlough.

As a Higher Ed professional myself, I cringed when I heard the news. It's tough out here for us. Even though I get incredible job benefits, I'm still not getting paid much. Neither are the professors and staff members who make Morehead State what it is. A week's worth of pay missing from one's monthly income is a hard punch in the gut. For me, that would mean $600 gone...and I cannot make ends meet with that. Fortunately for me, it's just me and my dog at my house; my parents would certainly support me if I needed it. Not everyone is afforded that luxury. Many of these working professionals have families to support, mortgages to pay, and college funds to save for. Let's not forget what might happen in an emergency! That $600 makes a huge difference.

So where does Bevin come into this? It was President Andrews, after all, who instituted this furlough. Why am I not talking about him? I understand President Andrews. We work in the same realm. Saving the school money is considered a major achievement no matter which rung of the ladder you find yourself on at work. I have had to reduce my staff, cut ties with vendors, and figure out how to work smarter. President Andrews is in the same position. He's doing what he has to do for the school's success.

I'm talking about Bevin because, not only does he not seem to grasp the House of Representatives' schedule, he doesn't seem to grasp the importance of funding Higher Education. An executive order mandating a 4.5 percent cut to our Higher Education institutions across the state has already made a significant impact on university operations. Kentucky schools now have to scramble as they attempt to reduce their budgets by millions of dollars.

When universities have to make these cuts, it often results in increased tuition and program elimination. What will be the incentive, then, for students to stay in-state for their college education? They'll be facing more student loan debt, and may find that their intended program of study just isn't available. Why are we making college less accessible to our many impoverished youths in the state? If we want to create a workforce, we need to get people in the classroom first. A big price tag at a four-year university looks less appealing than a similar price tag on a two-year for-profit or career university.

I also expect hiring freezes, lower starting salaries, and even lay-offs for faculty and staff. This is counter-intuitive to workforce development, which Bevin touts as his vision for the state of Kentucky. If I want to change jobs at any point during his administration, I'll be better off looking out of state. I doubt any public schools will be hiring or able to pay for the skills I'll bring to the table. I'm fortunate to work in a position and department that I don't want to leave anytime soon.

I'm concerned that the people of Kentucky did not employ any foresight into the past gubernatorial election. It has been reflected on a wider scale since the Republican caucus, when Kentucky Republicans voted for Donald Trump. What concerns me is the new mantra of "We need a business man in Washington". We don't need businessmen in office. They don't care about us, they care about the bottom line. We need someone who understands public policy, law, economics, and social science. We need someone who can play politics without pissing off their opposing party (or in Trump's case, their own party).

You don't have to like "establishment" politicians, but if you're going to elect an "outsider" it needs to be somebody who knows what they're doing. Matt Bevin didn't and does not. It's time that we evaluate the effect these men have had on our state and our country. Analyze it now, remember it in November, and remember it again in four years when Bevin is up for re-election. Until then, may the odds be ever in your favor. I'm scared of what's to come.