Chancellor Michael Martin announced in a broadcast e-mail Friday the LSU System — which includes the University and 10 other institutions — faces a “substantial cut in state funding for the fiscal year 2009-10” between $44 million and $71 million.Martin said in the e-mail officials have “been directed to prepare various scenarios” for the budget cuts, which is expected to be between 19.6 and 31.6 percent of the System’s state general fund appropriation.The University alone is already dealing with about $10.3 million in budget cuts for the fiscal year ending June 30. The national recession and declining state revenue have produced a $341 million shortfall in the state’s $30 billion operating budget, passing a blow to higher education throughout Louisiana.The System as a whole faces $29 million in mid-year cuts.”While we have yet to receive specifics, it is clear that the anticipated budget adjustment will, absent other funding sources, have dramatically negative impacts on our students, faculty, staff, campus, and all others we serve,” Martin said in the e-mail.Martin said in the e-mail he plans to explore all possible budget reductions to “avoid permanent damage to our academic core,” all possible sources of new revenue and all means to “inform decision makers about the damage that will be done by the cut of the magnitude anticipated.”Martin said in the e-mail the Faculty Senate, the Staff Senate and Student Government leadership will keep students informed as these plans evolve.”Keep the faith, and Geaux Tigers,” Martin wrote.
LSU system to cut between $44 M and $71 M next fiscal year
January 16, 2009