A Message from the President
January 8, 2010 - Mid-year budget cuts 2009-2010
As you know, we have been working to comply with a $3.6 million mid-year budget cut. As I shared in my prior campus communication, this reduction in our operating resources will require us to make some difficult and unpopular decisions. Our preliminary budget reduction plan was due Wednesday, and the final plan will be submitted to the Division of Administration today, January 8.
Our budget reduction plan calls for elimination of much of the remaining operating funds in budget units for acquisitions, travel, printing, repairs, maintenance, etc. In order to make up the remainder of the budget reduction, we will eliminate 35 positions, both classified and unclassified. This will include the termination of 24 currently employed individuals, with others being reassigned to other positions supported by non-operating funds, such as Auxiliary Services or University Development funds. Termination notifications will be made at the beginning of next week.
In addition we will reduce by more than 40 the number of courses taught through part-time/overloads. These courses will be eliminated, consolidated or reassigned to full-time faculty. Our Provost, deans and department heads are working to achieve this savings in the part-time/overload budget with the least detrimental impact on students’ schedules.
These are hard decisions, and we particularly regret the impact terminations will have on our colleagues. Unfortunately, we have no choice. With this mid-year budget reduction, Southeastern will have experienced reductions in state support of nearly $14 million since the initial mid-year reduction last fiscal year.
Since all indications suggest further budget reductions will occur for the 2010-11 fiscal year, we must move to position the university to remain viable. In the near future we will have to begin making additional changes that will allow us to continue to be a successful institution with a smaller operational footprint. These changes will almost certainly involve the elimination of programs, including academic programs, and the termination of some tenured faculty.
Our continued success as an institution will require us to remain committed to the success of our students and to persevere in our efforts to improve student retention, progression and graduation rates.
I will continue to keep the campus informed as developments occur.