Administrators for Idaho’s newest college that’s scheduled to open in January in Nampa have proposed cutting a quarter of the school’s budget to avoid breaking a promise to voters to keep property taxes down.

The cuts to the College of Western Idaho would see the 2009 budget drop from $16 million to $12 million, a move that would require the school to reduce the amount of classroom space in local high schools and delay hiring about eight support staff.

Administrators have also recommended reducing the 2010 budget from $18.1 million to $16.9 million. The school’s board of trustees did not make a decision on the cuts at its meeting.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees at the College of Southern Idaho has voted to ban smoking on campus beginning Aug. 25.

Students at Monday’s board meeting told trustees that banning smoking is important to the school’s image as a leader in health science education. Fines for smoking on campus are being discussed.

Once the ban begins the school will join Boise University as having a nonsmoking campus. (AP)