Two weeks ago I shared with you information about the state's budget recommendations for FY 2002. As I said then, there is both good and bad news in these recommendations.
Nothing has really changed in the past two weeks, but I remain hopeful that the unfortunate part of these recommendations for KU -- the cutting of our base budget -- will be amended before the legislature finally ends its deliberations. I pledge that the university will do everything we can to encourage Topeka to support higher education.
In today's memo I want to share what the university must do to solve its budget problems for FY 2001, the fiscal year we are currently in, which ends on June 30, 2001. The university must also plan for FY 2002, in case the budget is not amended, but I will leave to a later date a description of that planning.
For this year, our problem arises primarily from increased utility costs. We have dramatically cut back on utility expenses by lowering thermostats and taking other conservation measures. You have been very understanding of these steps, and they have significantly reduced our costs. However, the price of natural gas has doubled, and it has been a very cold winter. As a result, our utilities bill has increased over one million dollars on the Lawrence campus, and $400,000 at KUMC. When added to the costs of implementing the changes in the classified system, the total budget shortfall for this year is 1.15 million dollars on the Lawrence campus and $364,000 on the Medical Center campus.
We cannot escape these utilities bills. They must be paid if we are to continue providing electricity and heat. Thus, Provost Shulenburger has asked Deans in Lawrence to cut their budgets and Dr. Hagen has done the same thing at the Medical Center.
You will begin to see the effects of these cuts immediately. Expenses will be curtailed, positions will not be filled, equipment will not be purchased, and we will all be inconvenienced.
We will also ask you to work with your colleagues to think of creative ways to save money. Frequently, you are the person who knows best how to reduce expenses.
I don't want to minimize the difficulty of doing any of this. We will first target cuts in administrative costs. Still, in some cases you will find yourself having to do your job as well as someone else's because we cannot fill a vacant position. At other times we will have to defer maintenance of equipment, even though we know such maintenance is necessary. Students should expect longer lines and fewer services. Faculty will end up having to do tasks normally done by staff.
Nonetheless, Kansas University is a strong and proud institution. It has a dedicated staff and faculty. Its students are the most loyal in the state. A budget cut of 1.15 million in Lawrence, and $364,000 at KUMC, will not bring the university to its knees. We will find a way to pay our bills and maintain our mission as a teaching and research university with a national reputation for excellence. I ask for your help in accomplishing this goal. I guess what I really ask for is Jayhawk pride to see us through this difficult time. Our difficulties should not diminish our spirit or our aspirations. Good universities survive such setbacks.
I will comment in two weeks on the prospects for FY 2002. In the meantime, I want to thank you for helping KU solve its 2001 problems.
Email Page
Print Page