While the University’s 2009-10 budget cuts plan awaits the Board of Supervisors’ approval on August 27, departments across campus are bracing for the effects of a $19 million reduction in state funding.Among the effects outlined in the proposed plan are 24 layoffs and the elimination of 176 vacant job positions — numbers that could increase in the near future. “As everything settles down and people start to implement budget cuts at the lowest level, more layoffs may come,” Chancellor Michael Martin said. Martin said while faculty and staff members are left to deal with a slimmer budget and mandatory unpaid time off, the effect budget cuts will have on students this year will be minimal. “It has always been our commitment to in whatever way possible minimize the effect on students,” Martin said. The cuts aren’t severe enough to force academic colleges and other departments to eliminate programs, but Martin is working with the Faculty and Staff senates to prepare for possible larger cuts down the road if Louisiana and the U.S. continue their economic struggle. “The cuts are problematic if they are precursors to future cuts,” said M. Jayne Fleener, College of Education dean, in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille. “Most units will not be able to sustain programs and maintain faculty if the predictions for equal or greater cuts next year become a reality.”The University’s proposed plan includes cutting the budget of academic units by an average of 3 percent, and the budgets of non-academic units by an average of 5 percent. The College of Education is on the heftier end of the cut spectrum, facing a 5 percent funding reduction. Fleener said while the college is absorbing the cut mainly by eliminating vacant faculty positions, the effects are still serious.”While on the surface it may appear vacant lines were ‘unnecessary padding’ and therefore not impacting programs, programs are affected,” Fleener said. “Because all units across campus have not had operating budgets adjusted for many years, we have had to carry programs and support programs, faculty and initiatives through maintaining vacant lines. The cuts of vacant lines are directly going to affect program delivery and support, especially in programs that have field components, including internships.”Richard Koubek, College of Engineering dean, said in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille that engineering students will likely see fewer teaching assistant officer hours and less frequent offering of some elective courses after the college takes a 3 percent funding cut. Kevin Cope, Faculty Senate president, said he is happy with the way the administration has handled the cuts. “While no one welcomes reductions of any kind for any member or unit of the LSU community, the Faculty is convinced that Chancellor Martin is taking the right measures to protect the academic core of the University and to minimize suffering for the maximum number of persons,” Cope said.
To watch senior writer Kyle Bove discuss the proposed plan on Reporter Trax, click here.—-Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]