Ross to present second budget forum set for April 26

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George Ross is preparing for his first budget meeting since becoming Central Michigan University’s President.

CMU will hold its second budget forum of the semester from 3 to 5 p.m. April 26 in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.

Ross spoke of the forum Tuesday at the Academic Senate meeting. Like the last forum, which took place Feb. 23, those unable to attend can view the gathering online via webcast, said Steve Smith, director of public relations. He said the Web address of the webcast will be announced closer to the date of the forum.

“Dr. Ross will be presenting, and his cabinet will be there also,” Smith said.

Ross said Tuesday he will discuss “preliminary budget decisions” at the forum. Smith said no decisions have been made yet regarding upcoming budget cuts and the 2010-11 budget is “still a work in progress.”

“I anticipate some announcements to come out of that meeting,” Smith said.

What to cut?

Then-interim President Kathy Wilbur requested each of CMU’s budget centers to submit proposals of 3, 6 and 9 percent budget cuts in February, anticipating as much as $20 million to be cut from state appropriations.

Michigan’s Senate Appropriations Committee approved a 3.1 percent cut in appropriations to public universities in March, which could mean more than $2.5 million in cuts for CMU starting Oct. 1 if the cut passes the Senate and the House.

David Burdette, vice president of Finances and Administrative Services, said he and Interim Provost Gary Shapiro “are in continuous discussion” with Ross about budget cuts.

“(Ross) has been briefed by Burdette and his advisors and is still digesting what he’s learned and analyzing it,” Smith said.

Burdette said the decisions for any announcements made will be made in the next several days. No announcements made at the forum will be final, he said.

“It’s a process,” he said. “The legislature and the governor must approve the budget, and I don’t see that happening any time soon.”

The meeting is open to the public and in an e-mail to the university sent on Thursday, Ross expressed hope many will participate.

“I welcome and encourage the participation of faculty, students and staff as we continue our positive momentum and forward-looking vision to advance our university,” Ross said.