KBIA Local
(2008-12-19)
COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
University of Missouri President Gary Forsee and the four MU chancellors addressed possible budget cuts and their impact on the campuses, in a press conference in Columbia today. The conference was to discuss a report Forsee released yesterday, breaking down the possible budget-cut scenarios and their impact across each campus. The report and statement are in response to a request from the state Department of Higher Education, to make potential budget cuts ranging from 15 to 25 percent. That would translate intoto $60 to $100 million across the four campuses. A 15 percent reduction at Mizzou would mean more than $50 million cut. For other state universities it would mean a $19.5 million dollar reduction at UMKC, $11.7 million at Missouri University of Science and Technology, and $14.2 million at UMSL.Forsee says the cuts would have a "dramatic impact" on the university system. He says the cuts would need to be addressed in many ways - such as reducing work force, eliminating programs and services, and increasing tuition. Forsee says it's too early to determine the "best" scenario since the state budget isn't released until May.
The report also breaks down the impact to campuses in various areas. Forsee says if the reductions were dealt with just in the workforce category, the result would be a loss of 800 to 1400 employees. He says cuts need to be made across the board, and the system needs to prepare for any level of financial impact.
"I don't think we can hope and wish this is going to go away. There will likely be broad impact. Our challenge as leaders is to minimize that impact and make it not burdensome on any one particular part of the university and part of the university family."
Forsee says UM has taken immediate actions to save money, most notable the system-wide hiring freeze. Other chancellors weighed in, saying they've made cutbacks on travel and putting off maintenance issues. MU Chancellor Brady Deaton has received cost saving feedback from employees on his campus, and says he's already taken a minor step.
"Recently my staff agreed to lower the heat in the winter time and lower the air-conditioning in order to save money, so that we could We saved about $120,000 over the next year."
Deaton also mentioned there have been some campus renovations put on hold, such as installing a sprinkler system in Jesse Hall.
Forsee says with his report, he wants to make it clear to legislators that system cuts would bring drastic changes to the state. He says the impact of any state revenue reductions will affect teaching at the universities, as well as the universities' missions, and students. Forsee says as a higher learning institution, universities can be part of the solution to the financial crisis.
To read Forsee's statement, make a cost-saving suggestion, or listen and watch the entire press conference, visit:
http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/president/budgetnews/
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