Wilbur sets stage for budget cuts

Interim University President Kathy Wilbur today said the university has initiated a budget reduction plan due to her Feb. 15.

Wilbur said in an e-mail budget center managers in departments throughout the university must prepare reports showing the impact of a 3, 6 and 9 percent budget reduction for each center.

Steve Smith, director of Public Relations, said the three options of percentage cuts with give the university a range to work with.

“There are so many variables right now that we are dealing with,” he said. “We are trying to plan for a variety of situations.”

The Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group, which is headed by Interim Provost Gary Shapiro and Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services David Burdette, formed last semester to advise the president on cost cutting methods.

“For planning purposes, I am requesting that each budget center manager prepare plans and submit them to the provost or their respective vice president by Feb. 8, 2010,” Wilbur said in the e-mail.

Wilbur also noted the possibility of other cuts.

“SSBAG remains fully engaged in studying university operations to improve efficiencies and consider possible university-wide reductions such as hiring restrictions, furloughs, layoffs, salary concessions and travel restrictions while preserving CMU’s core institutional mission and strategic priorities,” the e-mail read.

Smith said it is still too early to tell what else will have to be cut. The administration is waiting to hear from Lansing. It is possible Gov. Jennifer Granholm will be calling back some funds, Smith said.