January 7, 2010 — A New Message in the New Year
Dear Faculty & Staff,
Let me begin by wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2010. I trust you had a satisfying holiday break and are ready to start the Spring 2010 Semester.
As you are likely aware, on December 22, Governor Jindal announced across-the-board budget reductions to state agencies to address the state’s $247.9 million mid-year budget deficit. On December 23, the university received notice from the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System that our share of these cuts is $4,612,290. This is the third budget cut that the university has received in the past 12 months, the aggregate of which is $16,445,647. We were asked to submit our plan to absorb this latest cut by Friday, January 8.
Provost Landry, Vice President LeBlanc and I met throughout the holidays to develop the plan. We have shared it with University Council, the Deans Council and several directors who are most affected. I wanted to share this information with you before it is submitted and reported in the press over the next few days.
The plan maintains the university’s priority which is focusing on our core mission to provide students with a quality educational experience and to protect those who are most responsible for providing that experience.
There are no immediate plans for layoffs or furloughs.
The primary elements of the reduction plan include sizeable cuts to various economic and business development outreach centers as well as research centers. We are closing the Cade Farm. We are outsourcing various university operational services. We will curtail capital outlay expenditures. A number of vacant positions, as well as travel, are being frozen. Acquisitions need to be significantly curtailed. Overall, we must maintain our high level of productivity while engaging in serious belt-tightening and exercising fiscal restraint. In addition to the financial spreadsheets we were asked to submit, the Board of Supervisors requested a narrative detailing the negative impact of these cuts. This information will be forwarded to you separately.
While this is certainly not good news, I am certain that if we remain focused we will weather this fiscal hurricane just as the university has done throughout its history. Our strategic goals remain unchanged and will be realized. And, we will maintain an institution known for its quality, competitiveness and progress.
On a positive note, our students will be returning next week. In this frigid weather — and fiscal environment — let’s give them a warm welcome!
E. Joseph Savoie
President
president@louisiana.edu