Campus budget reductions planned for 2003-04

Budget planning for 2003-04 continues on our campus. Although this is a difficult process, the campus-wide planning for budget cuts that began last year in concert with the University Budget Committee is serving us well. In January 2003 President Welty asked the Provost, vice presidents, and deans to prepare plans which assume that we will have to reduce the Academic Affairs budget by 5 percent next year, and all other areas of the university by 7.5 percent. These plans assume that our enrollment will grow by 5 percent to 6 percent over this year's enrollment.

The following plans assume that the Governor's Budget proposal in January will be enacted by the Legislature. This proposal assumes a 25 percent undergraduate fee increase, a 20 percent graduate increase and funding for a 5 percent enrollment growth.

Here is a brief report on the recommendations to date:

 

Academic Affairs

On top of $2,813,509 in budgetary reductions the last two years, another $2,598,728 in reductions is projected for Academic Affairs in 2003-04. Since a majority of the cuts to date are permanent and have already occurred in central functions, a greater percentage of reduction will occur in the colleges next year.

Projected reductions include cuts in more than 20 central units, offices and initiatives in Academic Affairs; the Library; and the eight academic colleges and departments.

The central reductions include cuts in specific initiatives, the Provost's Office, University Farm, Graduate Studies, CATI, University Grants and Contracts, and more than a dozen other units and initiatives.

Library reductions include savings from not hiring replacement personnel, and reductions in operating expenses and book and subscription purchases. Saving within the colleges are derived primarily from reducing professional and administrative assigned time, not replacing vacancies, reducing tenure-track and part-time hires, increasing class sizes, canceling or consolidating lower enrollment courses, reducing operating and professional travel expenses, deferring equipment purchases and some internal reorganizations.

 

University Advancement

A 7.5 percent budget reduction for University Advancement will be $77,051 for 2003-04. Impacts on the central budgets (University Advancement, University Development, University Relations, Advancement Services and Alumni Relations) will include the following:

  1. Some personnel and operating expenses will be shifted from the general fund to trust accounts if adequate funding is available.
  2. Non-critical vacancies, which occur due to resignation or reassignments, will be held open with revisions in select job descriptions to consolidate positions, where appropriate.
  3. Technology purchases and upgrades will be eliminated.
  4. Nonessential travel will be cancelled.
  5. Facility improvements, including workstations and office furnishings, will be cancelled unless ergonomically required.

 

Administrative Services

Assuming a 7.5 percent reduction, Administrative Services is responsible for $1,728,500 in savings in 2003-04. The savings will be possible as a result of a combination of permanent base budget reductions and one-time savings that are being carried forward.

The above reductions will be realized by taking the following steps:

  1. Leaving open positions vacant for another year and hiring new employees at a lower salary or time base.
  2. Reducing operating supplies.
  3. Deferred maintenance.
  4. Hazardous materials disposal.
  5. Transfer of general fund costs to trusts.
  6. Carry forward amounts from 2002-03.
  7. Increased reimbursements.

 

Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs is expecting a base budget reduction of 7.5 percent, a reduced campus allocation to University Health and Psychological Services, a loss of Precollegiate Academic Development Program (PAD) and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Outreach funds, as well as a portion of the campus Collaborative Academic Preparation Initiatives Program (CAPI) allocation.  The base budget reduction will result in a 2003-04 deficit which will be covered in a number of ways to include carry-forward funds that have been accumulated by 18-24 months of salary savings from unfilled positions, holding several senior administrative positions open, filling essential vacancies with temporary appointments, limiting travel and staff development activities, limiting acquisition of equipment, furnishings and technology, and imposing a 10 percent to 15 percent operating budget reduction on all units.

 

Athletics

Actions to be taken to meet budget reductions include holding positions vacant, reduction in the number of sports offered, reduction of operating costs. The Director of Athletics will be consulting with the Athletic Corporation Board and other advisory groups on specific actions.

 

President's Office

Budget reductions will include eliminating special consultant to assist with community college liaison work and programs and holding internal auditor position open.

The Legislature will continue to meet on the state budget throughout the spring semester. The development of a final state budget is not anticipated until well after the Governor releases his annual "May Revise," which is a revised budget proposed by the Governor in May of each year, based on updated state revenue information. Between now and the time when the final state budget is adopted, there may be a number of changes to the CSU budget.

As new developments occur related to the CSU budget, Dr. Welty will provide updates to the campus community through the use of Infomail and the University Journal.


 

Back to University Journal, 4/03 Issue

 

 
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