Discussing the University’s projected budget plan for the 2002-03 school year was the goal of a University Senate-sponsored town hall meeting Monday. However, with possible additional budget cuts, the fate of the University’s budget and its impact on students and faculty remains uncertain.
A panel of speakers including University President Dave Frohnmayer, University Provost John Moseley, ASUO President Nilda Brooklyn and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Michael Kellman delivered opening remarks to an audience of about 60 members of the campus and public community who gathered in Lawrence 177.,br>
President Frohnmayer said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the University’s “fiscal health.” He said the University’s initial priority is to fund the additional 1,000 students who will not receive state support next fall as a result of budget cuts. The University is expecting an enrollment of 20,000 – the largest enrollment in the school’s history.
Projecting the University’s future budget plan and strategy to compensate for decreased state funding is difficult to determine, Frohnmayer said.
“The issue is somewhat ambiguous right now,” he said referring to the recent revenue shortfall of a possible $220 million and the fate of Ballot Measure 13, which would compensate for an additional government shortfall. Frohnmayer said the University’s budget cannot be determined right now but said the budget problem is of great concern.
“The budget is a well of concern, as evidenced by the attendance at this meeting,” he said.
Provost Moseley, referred to as the “man with the numbers,” said the University is within $3 million of balancing next year’s budget, but potential additional budget cuts will make the 2002-03 school year difficult.
“We will have to do things on a one-year basis,” he said. “It would be difficult to get through next year.”
Although the University has yet to determine the course of action it will take to account for the decrease in state funding, increasing tuition is a possibility. Brooklyn stressed the negative impact a tuition increase could have on many students and said ASUO wants to be involved in the process.
“This issue is not taken lightly by students,” Brooklyn said. “We want to be a willing and active participant.”University tuition increased 3 percent for the 2001-02 school year. While the school hasn’t decided on additional tuition increases for next year, many universities have already adopted them. Frohnmayer said the University of Washington increased tuition by 13 percent and Purdue University increased tuition by 10 percent for continuing students and 34 percent for entering students.
E-mail Katie Ellis at [email protected]