As the discussion of the impending budget cuts facing our university continues, I recognize that interest and anxiety among our faculty, staff and students are likely to increase.
The public universities, at the request of the Washington Senate, are submitting budget-reduction scenarios to that body reflecting cutbacks in our state allocation of 12 percent and 18 percent. In coming weeks, WSU officials will be discussing possible budget reductions in public sessions in front of the Legislature and with other state leaders.
As a result, there will be more information publicized about the possible targets of budget reductions. As you read and hear those reports, there are some important facts to keep in mind.
- The budget discussions are still at a preliminary stage. The Legislature is weeks, even months, away from approving any final budget package. Until that budget is finalized, we will not know the exact size of the cuts we will have to make.
- We are taking steps to save money now and, by so doing, reduce the amount we will need to cut later. The hiring freeze and travel restrictions we imposed last year continue to have a positive budget impact. We are making internal communications electronic. We are looking for ways to cut utility costs. We are considering a Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive. In addition, the University Budget Committee has received hundreds of money-saving suggestions from the university community. We have forwarded good ideas that might produce immediate savings in specific areas to deans and vice presidents to be implemented.
- Budget scenarios are not final budget plans. The Senate has requested the scenarios to help its members understand the impact of different levels of reductions across our state’s universities. However, we have consistently said that we will make strategic, as opposed to across-the-board, cuts. When the final level of budget cuts becomes more clear, we will then determine the best way to move forward. It is impossible to predict how closely any final plan will reflect these preliminary scenarios.
- We have pledged to be as transparent as possible in dealing with this budget process. At the same time, we do not want to be premature in putting out information about program and budget cuts that may never have to be made.
Provost Warwick Bayly and I greatly appreciate the input we continue to receive from the university community. We know that it is difficult to be patient with this process. We, too, are anxious to know the exact level of the cuts we face so we can make firm plans.
However, we recognize that this process is not easy for state leaders either. The governor and the Legislature are trying to make the best possible decisions in an extremely difficult economic environment.
We will continue to provide updates on the situation, here on the University Budget Committee page, through Perspective columns and in discussions with members of the university community.
Thank you for your understanding, and for your hard work.
-- Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D.
President