The University’s budget cuts pervaded nearly every issue discussed at the Staff Senate meeting Wednesday, a sign of the ubiquity of the cuts’ effects.The budget revisions were prominently acknowledged as the Senate discussed Chancellor Michael Martin’s handling of the budget problems, as well as the potential changes the cuts could bring to a proposed staff-sponsored scholarship program.Staff Senate President Patricia Beste praised the way Martin has managed the budget situation. She specifically mentioned being impressed by the scaling down of celebrations during the football team’s Chick-fil-A Bowl win.”I was pleased with how responsible the chancellor was with the bowl game,” Beste said.Beste told members of the Senate three out of four parties planned for the game were canceled, a measure she felt was appropriate and didn’t lessen the excitement of the event.”I enjoyed it, but it was nothing extravagant,” said Beste.Members of the Senate also acknowledged Martin’s efforts to be communicative and open to ideas as decisions regarding the budget are made.”We appreciate his openness,” said Beste. “He is keeping us in the loop.”–
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