Update - January 9, 2009
The University Budget Committee met Thursday and discussed several of the most frequently raised suggestions to reduce the potential deficit facing the university as a result of budget cuts recommended by Governor Chris Gregoire.
The committee has received more than 400 suggestions and website submissions. Some of the most frequently raised ideas include:
- Close the campus at non-peak times.
- Establish Four-day work weeks.
- Establish some number of days of mandatory unpaid leave.
- Rescind previous salary increases
- Adopt strict policies to encourage energy conservation
- Establish an early retirement incentive program
- Outsource various university functions
- Freeze discretionary travel
- Reduce travel reimbursement rates
- Eliminate mailings used for internal communications
The committee is engaging in in-depth discussions of many of these suggestions to determine their feasibility, their possible consequences – intended and otherwise -- and the potential budget savings they could generate.
The committee will continue meeting next week, with a schedule of two meetings per week. It has not established a deadline for its deliberations.
The state legislative session, during which lawmakers will deliberate on a biennial budget package, will convene on January 12.