The board of governors passed the 2009-10 budget that included federal stimulus money that is one-time money. This is the link to the preliminary estimate of the University Distribution of FY 2009/10.

It should be noted that the board of governors proposed a 4% increase to the legislature for 2010-11. However, this only is catch-up money and we anticipate it will include stimulus money again. That means that while we are working on 2010-11, we really need to keep an eye on what is unfolding for 2011-12.

From the President's Desk...

May 17, 2010

After months of meetings, workshops and open forums during which the entire University community was invited to share ideas as to how we could reduce our 2010-11 budget deficit, we now have a working plan.

As I wrote in my e-mail announcing the plan, I am incredibly appreciative of your suggestions and critical thinking. You helped to inform and shape the decisions represented in this plan. While everyone may not agree on each and every recommendation, everyone did have an opportunity to participate in the process.

Detailed plans for each of the divisions are posted on this site for your review. Two of our sister institutions, Kutztown and Millersville, have also announced budget reduction plans for 2010/11. You can read summaries of their plans under the budget news link.

CHEERS from the BUTLER EAGLE

Slippery Rock University President Robert Smith is right in reaching out to students regarding the financial pressures that are and will be affecting the university.

A total of three workshops will be held - the first was held Wednesday evening - to explain the challenges facing not only Slippery Rock but also all of the 14 state-owned universities.

At the conclusion of the three presentations, SRU will launch a new Web site on which people will be able to post ideas and suggestions for making cuts, saving money and increasing revenue.

Suggestions can be posted anonymously.

Only about 25 students and faculty members attended the first workshop. That figure is much lower than it should have been.

Hopefully, information that spreads over the campus resulting from that meeting will generate more interest in attending the subsequent workshops, followed by reflection and suggestions by way of the Web site on ways the university can more effectively deal with financial challenges.

There's a $5 million shortfall in SRU's budget for the current academic year, and it is feared the university could be facing a $9 million budget hole next year.

All members of the university community must be kept up to date on the situation. Fortunately, the university is off to a good start in doing that.

Reprinted with permission
The Butler Eagle
Sept. 27, 2009