The Staff Senate met Wednesday to discuss the University’s budget outlook and the possibility of furloughs by the end of the academic year.Staff Senate President Chad Gothreaux said he feels proposed furloughs and construction postponements on the new band hall before the end of the academic year could be avoided.  He said Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plan for balancing the budget for this fiscal year, which would include a spending freeze, would help the University avoid furloughs and construction postponement.Gothreaux also discussed concern about the University’s budget outlook after 2012 when federal stimulus funding will no longer be available.”2012 has been referred to as a cliff,” Gothreaux said. “Approximately $40 million is going to fall off the budget.”Gothreaux said he’s maintained consistent and constant communication with Chancellor Michael Martin throughout the budget crisis.”The chancellor has been very clear and honest about his support for the people of LSU as he attempts to help the University through the current budget crisis,” Gothreaux said.The Staff Senate also discussed the University’s employee benefits packages and discussed Wednesday’s employee benefits fair.Staff Senate Member-at-Large Donna Torres encouraged attendance as it was “a rare opportunity to have everyone associated with employee benefits in one room.”The benefits fair was held Wednesday in the Student Union from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.The Staff Senate also discussed the University changing its HMO provider from Humana to BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana next year.
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