Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine recently called for the University to cut another $12.4 million from its budget in the 2009-10 academic year, in addition to the $10.6 million proposed for the 2008-09 academic year, according to Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
These combined cuts total $23 million, which is a 15-percent reduction in the commonwealth’s allocation to the University’s budget. The reason for the reforecasted budget, according to prepared remarks issued by Kaine’s office in mid-December, is the continued economic downturn seen across the country and commonwealth.
“Sales tax revenues were falling behind projections, but income tax withholding collections remained stronger than projected,” Kaine stated in the release. “At that time, the actual data and our economic models suggested that additional downward adjustments would be prudent due to the likely softening of sales receipts and recordation taxes and uncertainty over the non-withholding portion of income tax payments. Based on that data and our discussions, we have revised the official forecast in this budget downward by an additional $138.6 million in fiscal year 2009 and an additional $229.6 million in fiscal year 2010. These adjustments result in a total general fund revenue reduction in the biennial budget passed last spring of nearly $2.9 billion.”
At the University, the Eminent Scholars Program and salary increases are among the programs and services most likely to be affected by Kaine’s proposal. The Eminent Scholars Program, established in 1964 by the General Assembly, enables faculty to receive special salary supplements funded from endowment income and matching state appropriations.
”For the next year, Gov. Kaine has recommended that the entire Eminent Scholars Program matching [by the commmonwealth] be [stopped],” Sandridge said, which will end up cutting $2.8 million from the University’s budget.
Sandridge added that Kaine also said he would not recommend salary increases, which means that there will now be no salary increases at the University for both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years.
Regarding the possibility of layoffs, Sandridge said his office is working hard to avoid them at all costs.
“In many instances, we’re keeping seats vacant,” Sandridge said. “Our employees are very committed to helping us through times like these.”
One of Sandridge’s main priorities is to prevent students from feeling the effects of the enlarged state budget cuts as much as possible.
“We do everything we can to help students not see effects of periods like these,” Sandridge said.
Richard Myers, senior associate dean for administration and planning in the College, noted that the College is also trying to “remain mindful of the effect [of the budget] on the classroom experience for students.”
Myers said the state reduction for the College is about 6.2 million for the 2009-10 school year.
“The most notable aspect of the cuts is that we are delaying the pace at which we are searching for new faculty,” Myers said.
Myers added that although the College is putting some things on hold because of the cuts, it is continuing to move forward on some projects, such as the completion of science research laboratory construction, which was started before the new cuts.
“We continue to do things even though we’re in a period of budget constraint,” Myers said.
Before the funding reductions can actually be enacted, though, Kaine’s proposed budget cuts must first be approved by the General Assembly, which starts its session tomorrow.
“I think it’s still really up in the air on the ultimate impact of the University’s budget,” said Colette Sheehy, vice president for management and budget. “But we’re at least planning for this 15-percent reduction.”
Overall, Sandridge said, although this is an unusual economic period, cuts like these are to be expected for public universities.
“It’s fair to say if you’re a public university, you expect to go through times like this,” Sandridge said. “Our objective is to manage through [it].”
Read More
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 3 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
What does the University’s contract with dining service Aramark entail?
By Brandon Kile | 4 days agoThe Cavalier Daily submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the University for its contract with Aramark to understand the specific terms of the agreement.
