A University of Southern Mississippi committee will start ranking funding priorities for programs at the college.

Faculty Senate President Jeff Evans tells the Hattiesburg American that the committee will hold its first meeting Dec. 15.

Committee members will evaluate academic and nonacademic programs and rank each.

School officials say programs at the bottom of the rankings will be up for consolidation or elimination during current budget cuts.

USM expects $13 million in budget cuts for FY 2012 and a possible $10 million cut for FY 2013.

Officials say programs at the top will be up for more money during healthier economic times.

The recommendations are scheduled to be presented to USM President Martha Saunders and Provost Bob Lyman in June.