After two years on the varsity swim team at UNC, junior John Paul Gaylor retired from swimming to pursue a passion for gene therapy research inspired in part by his involvement with Honors Carolina.

But because of budget cuts, certain classes in the program might not be offered in the future.

Gaylor first became interested in gene therapy during his BIO 101 honors course with biology professor Jean DeSaix last spring.

She essentially walked us through the research process, Gaylor said. She even had us interview people working in the field.

Gaylor now works in a lab researching gene therapy for eyes.

DeSaix said she loves to teach her honors course, but due to budget cuts, the course was not offered this fall and will most likely not be in the spring.

Assistant Dean for Honors Carolina Ritchie Kendall said departmental and University budget cuts affect the number of faculty that can teach honors courses.

The UNC system has seen nearly half a billion dollars erased from its state funding since 2011, including about $65 million in fresh cuts in the 2013-14 budget.

There is no question that there is a much greater strain on departmental courses, Kendall said. Honors (classes) are, with very few exceptions, always faculty taught that is a strain.

Despite budget restraints on the University level, Kendall said in recent years Honors Carolina has doubled the number of new students because of fundraising gifts to the program.

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Cuts affect honors courses

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