Spring Break
Frank proceeds with cuts to academics, administration
Elyse Jarvis
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: News
Anticipating a $13.1 million budget shortfall, Interim CSU President Tony Frank announced Friday that the university will proceed with previously prepared budget reduction scenarios, which include cuts to administration and all areas of academics.
In an e-mail to the CSU community, Frank said the deficit stems from the $6.7 million the university must give back to Colorado's General Fund to make up for state shortages and $6.35 million coming from increased benefit costs, a decline in out-of-state student enrollment and state deficits in interest earnings.
Additionally, the projection includes money the university designated last year to rebuild and reposition its athletics program.
The projected $13.1 million shortage does not include cuts that the university will face in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. That amount may be "less dramatic" than the $5 million cut that's anticipated, Frank said.
Upon hearing of looming state budget cuts at the end of last year, Frank cut administrative positions to create a $1.5 million reserve fund. $2.6 million in additional institutional reserves and $500,000 in stock holdings will also be utilized to make up for funding shortfalls.
The remaining amount will come from a 3 percent average cut to academic units and a 6 percent average cut to administrative units.
Interim Provost Rick Miranda said every academic college's budget has been assessed in accordance with the university-wide cuts.
"Every unit on campus has been asked to contribute to this rescission. Nearly every department of every college will be affected," he said.
Miranda said that while no instructional or additional administrative positions will be axed this spring, staff members may be asked to take reassignments or different duties come fall semester.
"Any effect on our courses for this spring semester will not be seen," he said.
Frank said a surge in both undergraduate and graduate applications for next year and potential funds from President Obama's economic recovery package may help offset the deficit, but for now, proceeding with the projection is necessary.
In an e-mail to the CSU community, Frank said the deficit stems from the $6.7 million the university must give back to Colorado's General Fund to make up for state shortages and $6.35 million coming from increased benefit costs, a decline in out-of-state student enrollment and state deficits in interest earnings.
Additionally, the projection includes money the university designated last year to rebuild and reposition its athletics program.
The projected $13.1 million shortage does not include cuts that the university will face in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. That amount may be "less dramatic" than the $5 million cut that's anticipated, Frank said.
Upon hearing of looming state budget cuts at the end of last year, Frank cut administrative positions to create a $1.5 million reserve fund. $2.6 million in additional institutional reserves and $500,000 in stock holdings will also be utilized to make up for funding shortfalls.
The remaining amount will come from a 3 percent average cut to academic units and a 6 percent average cut to administrative units.
Interim Provost Rick Miranda said every academic college's budget has been assessed in accordance with the university-wide cuts.
"Every unit on campus has been asked to contribute to this rescission. Nearly every department of every college will be affected," he said.
Miranda said that while no instructional or additional administrative positions will be axed this spring, staff members may be asked to take reassignments or different duties come fall semester.
"Any effect on our courses for this spring semester will not be seen," he said.
Frank said a surge in both undergraduate and graduate applications for next year and potential funds from President Obama's economic recovery package may help offset the deficit, but for now, proceeding with the projection is necessary.
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Ghoochie
George Patsourakos
posted 3/02/09 @ 12:05 PM MST
Colorado State University has been hit hard by our slumping economy, as a $13.1 million budget shortfall is expected. This shortfall will result in cuts to administration and all areas of academics. (Continued…)
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