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What is the status of the 2001/02 and 2002/03 budgets?
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TO: |
The Campus Community |
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FR: |
Bernie Goldstein, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs |
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Larry Furukawa-Schlereth, Vice President for Administration & Finance |
We have been hearing various rumors about the budget reductions facing Sonoma State University for the current academic year and want to share with you the facts as we know them. It is natural to be concerned about the impact of any budget cuts on our campus, so we want all of you to understand what is happening.
There are two budget issues we have been struggling with over the past several weeks. The first relates to a mandate from the California Department of Finance, directing the CSU to make plans to reduce its current fiscal year budget by $35 million, in response to the governor's call for budget reductions in all state agencies. SSU's share of this budget reduction is $738,820. (We should add, however, that the Governor has called for a special legislative session in January to address the budget shortfall. Those deliberations could result in further changes, and we will keep you informed of potential impacts on our campus budget.)
The second budget issue relates to a campus mandate to identify $350,000 to support various technology requirements, including (a) the faculty workstation program, (b) services and equipment provided to students in our open computer laboratories, and (c) academic software. After significant discussion and consultation, we have jointly recommended to the President that each Division of the University share in identifying the funds to meet these needs as indicated below:
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Department of Finance Reduction |
Technology Requirements |
Total |
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Executive Office |
$ 15,568 |
$0 |
$ 15,568 |
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Academic Affairs |
$ 585,681 |
$0 |
$ 585,681 |
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Student Affairs |
$ 18,372 |
$0 |
$ 18,372 |
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Administration/Finance |
$ 118,199 |
$350,000 |
$ 458,199 |
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TOTAL |
$ 737,820 |
$350,000 |
$1,087,820 |
We have consulted with the academic deans and department chairs, directors and managers in other divisions, and all budget advisory committees, and have developed priorities and principles to guide decisions on how best to identify the needed funds. We agree that maintaining instruction, services to students, and SSU's no-lay-off policy are primary considerations.
In Academic Affairs, budget cuts will be taken in areas having the least direct or immediate impact on our students. Great effort has been made to preserve course offerings. No reduction in classes, beyond normal enrollment management, is contemplated. However, funds for faculty travel and scholarship, staff professional development, instructional equipment, laboratory improvement and accreditation activities will be reduced. In the other divisions, we will reduce administrative operating expenses, hold certain management positions vacant, and utilize salary savings. Here are summaries providing more details from each division:
In Academic Affairs, we will use $212,150 of centrally managed resources toward the reduction. The remaining $373,532 will be allocated to the Academic Schools, Library, ESAS and the Provost's Office according to their percentage of the total Academic Affairs general fund budget. The following actions will be taken to identify the total $585,682 needed:
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Reduce Academic Affairs Reserve |
$ 100,000 |
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Utilize faculty salary savings |
$ 143,908 |
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Utilize year-end savings from 2000-2001 |
$ 47,773 |
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Utilize staff salary savings |
$ 76,952 |
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Reduce operating expenses |
$ 80,884 |
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Utilize Open University revenues and indirect costs |
$ 34,000 |
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Dean/Department Chair assume teaching load in Spring 02 |
$ 11,000 |
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Defer instructional equipment purchases |
$ 41,000 |
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Defer faculty office/laboratory renovation |
$ 14,164 |
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Close low-enrolled courses |
$ 36,000 |
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TOTAL |
$ 585,681 |
In Administration and Finance, the following actions will be taken to identify the needed $468,199:
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Utilize division MPP salary savings |
$ 23,000 |
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Delay Police Services debt service until 7-1-01 |
$ 75,000 |
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Delay filling management (MPP) positions |
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---Director of Events |
$ 46,554 |
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---Senior Director, Facilities Services |
$ 120,000 |
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---Associate Director, Financial Aid |
$ 35,143 |
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---Lieutenant, Police Services |
$ 38,502 |
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Defer conceptual design of University Center |
$ 130,000 |
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TOTAL |
$ 468,199 |
In Student Affairs, the following actions will be taken to identify the needed $18,372:
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Reduce operating expenses, Vice President's office |
$ 5,712 |
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Reduce part-time position for marketing and special events, Intercollegiate Athletics |
$ 4,000 |
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Reduce operating expenses and utilize salary savings, Office of Campus Life |
$ 4,660 |
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Utilize salary savings, Student Health Center |
$ 4,000 |
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TOTAL |
$ 18,372 |
In the Executive Office, the following actions will be taken to identify the needed $15,568:
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Reduce operating expenses, President's Office |
$ 5,293 |
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Reduce Operating expenses, University Affairs |
$ 4,203 |
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Utilize salary savings, Alumni Relations Director |
$ 4,554 |
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Utilize staff salary savings, Development Office |
$ 1,518 |
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TOTAL |
$ 15,568 |
What reductions should we expect for the 2002-2003 budget? Again, we have heard rumors floating around campus. What we know at this time is that the Chancellor's Office has advised us to start planning for budget reductions between 5% and 10%.
We will know more to report to you in January 2002 after the Governor releases his budget for the 2002-2003 fiscal year.
You can expect to receive periodic messages from us about the budget in the ensuing months. Although the state's budget situation is very uncertain, it is important that we all stay informed about the critical budget issues that affect our campus. It will help us make the best decisions possible during trying times. Our campus community is resilient and we will come through this economic downturn by working together.
12/18/01 slk