MU cuts down on expenses

MU is making vital decisions about the 2009 budget.

By Krissy Tripp

Published Feb. 10, 2009

Due to the economic crisis, MU is being asked to significantly reduce expenditures. A campus-wide letter describing the reductions in detail was distributed last week.

UM system President Gary Forsee asked for the reductions in his letter to UM system chancellors, Provost Brain Foster said. The savings are in anticipation of future budget problems.

For example, money from this year's appropriation might have to be given back, or legislators might not approve the governor's commitment not to cut funding if tuition isn't raised. Budget decisions are still being made in the state and national legislatures.

"This is a very particular piece of the budget landscape right now," Foster said. "This is just saving for this spring to have held in case we need it."

Next year's budget is still unknown and won't be known until later in the spring.

Foster also explained new money must be raised for a list of needs for next year that comes to about $10 million.

"We must not become paralyzed or compromise our primary mission of teaching, research, service and economic development," Chancellor Brady Deaton said in a letter to MU staff on Jan 14.

The three main goals Deaton outlined are providing a high-quality education, generating research to improve the lives of Americans and delivering the acquired knowledge to Missouri citizens.

Also, even though he said he expects significant reductions in expenditures and a decrease in spending from month to month, he outlined three factors to consider before cutting.

Whether the cuts would negatively impact MU's ability to generate revenue jeopardizes the safety of students and staff or directly damage instruction or clinical research or services will be considered before finalizing cuts.

As of now the cuts aren't affecting employee salaries, but promotions, salary adjustments and overtime will be carefully supervised and considered.

A Feb. 5 letter from Deaton further explained the budget cuts. The overall savings are equal to 5 percent of the state appropriation for fiscal year 2009, which is about $9 million.

Savings will be tracked by college and by spending category, but funds will be transferred to a central campus fund. Departments must submit their projected savings by Feb. 21. The hiring freeze will continue with separate guidelines to come soon.

"We're all waiting with anticipation for next year's budget," law school Dean Larry Dessem said. "You can't cut out this much money without impacting the quality of the experience for the students, but we are working hard to minimize the impact on students."

Sinclair School of Nursing Dean Judith Miller said she is examining the categories specified in the terms so the nursing school can meet the required savings target.

She explained the negative impact of the budget cuts on both students and the school. Students now sit at round tables with old chairs, many with their backs to professors, she said. Resource and simulation lab equipment won't be purchased either.

The school also has more qualified applicants than it is able to admit due to the state of facilities and faculty numbers. The nursing school, she said, is unable to increase enrollment at this time.

"We could have a better learning climate, equipment for practicing clinical skills prior to caring for patients," Miller said in an e-mail.

On Feb. 20 Deaton and Forsee will hold an open campus forum to discuss the budget cuts.