UAlbany Budget Updates
Message from President Philip on Tue, Oct 20, 2009
Dear Colleagues:
The economic crisis confronting New York State continues to present serious financial and budgetary challenges for the State University of New York and the University at Albany. Last week, Governor Paterson unveiled a two-year $5 billion deficit reduction plan to address a multi-billion dollar budget gap facing the State. While the entirety of the Governor's proposal would require enactment by the State Legislature, the Governor unilaterally cut $500 million from the state operations budget, which he controls. As you may know, the State University of New York suffered a reduction of $90 million in its operating budget as a result of this action.
In response, Chancellor Zimpher immediately established a Budget Task Force comprised of five presidents from across the State University, of which I am one, along with several campus provosts and vice presidents and key leadership from SUNY System Administration. The Chancellor's Budget Task Force is charged with looking at ways to address the 2009-10 mid-year budget cut advanced by the Governor and developing budget recommendations and strategies for 2010-11 and beyond.
With respect to the state operating budget reductions our campus took over the past two years, we are continuing to work with SUNY System Administration to help chart our financial future. I hope to be able to share with you additional information in the near term on how the University proposes to move forward with fewer resources, and the implications of the $90 million mid-year budget cut currently before SUNY.
In the meantime, the University at Albany will continue to exercise budgetary and fiscal discretion by sustaining its campus wide expenditure reduction efforts in the weeks and months ahead. These efforts include a soft hiring freeze, limiting/restricting travel, delaying equipment replacement and new purchases, extending our energy savings program, and at the same time, exploring and pursuing new revenue sources across the university.
As you know, Provost Phillips and I are continuing our new "campus conversation" series which we launched in September. The purpose of the series is to learn what is on your mind on any number of issues (for example, the budget process), as well as to share information and answer questions about the University in general. Below is a reminder of the additional sessions scheduled throughout the remainder of the fall semester:
* Wednesday, November 4 at 11:00am, East Campus, Classroom 3
* Wednesday, November 18 at 12:00pm, Campus Center, Patroon Room
* Monday, November 23 at 2:00pm, Downtown Campus, Arthur Levitt Room
* Wednesday, December 2 at 4:00pm, Life Sciences Research Building 1143
I encourage you to participate in one of these informative conversations over the next several weeks. If you are able to attend, please email us at: presRSVP@uamail.albany.edu
so we can work to accommodate as many faculty and staff as possible. As always, I welcome your suggestions, comments, and concerns at SuggestionBox@uamail.albany.edu
As the University continues to work through these fiscally challenging and difficult times, I want to thank all of you for your commitment and resolve to advancing the mission of our great University.
Sincerely yours,
George M. Philip
