CLEMSON, S.C. -- The Greenville News reports Clemson president Jim Barker has sent an e-mail to the school's faculty ensuring them the money to buy out football coach Tommy Bowden's contract won't come from state money or student fees.

Barker tells the faculty the $3.5 million paid to Bowden over
six years will come from athletic department funds the school had
in reserve when Bowden was signed to a contract extension last
season.

The slowing economy has led state officials to warn Clemson and
other universities they will likely face a midyear budget cut.

Bowden stepped down Monday and athletic director Terry Don
Phillips agreed to pay the buyout even though Bowden was not fired.