Gov. Don Sundquist said Wednesday that he has ordered $12 million in higher education spending cuts to balance the state budget.

He has asked the Tennessee Higher Education Committee (THEC) to cut $9.7 million from administrative costs in the University of Tennessee and Board of Regents systems, $1.5 million from contracts for centers of emphasis and excellence, $1 million from corporate fellowships and scholarships, and other funds by canceling the opening of the Sundquist Advanced Technology Center in Fayetteville.