news & events
February 23, 2009
College Deals with Budget Challenges; Seeks Ideas, Input
Brother President Ronald Gallagher told more than 250 faculty, staff and students at a budget forum on Feb. 17 that the College needs “to focus on institutional priorities” as it deals with fallout from the worldwide economic crisis that has affected the endowment and enrollment.Among the priorities that Brother Ronald outlined were enhancing academic excellence, identifying efficient and effective practices, maintaining momentum on strategic initiatives and keeping the College affordable.
The College plans to act strategically by focusing on new student enrollment and retention, keeping graduation rates on track and responding to financial need while working to grow the endowment and alumni giving levels and move forward with initiatives to upgrade campus facilities.
The College’s Board of Trustees has approved a 2009-10 budget that calls for cuts in faculty and staff positions and reductions in benefits, including a 6 percent reduction in the amount the College puts into employees’ retirement account.
"We want to do what we can to make sure we’re not severing our arteries, but we’re going to be smaller," Brother Ronald said.
The audience applauded when it was announced that Cabinet members and academic deans have pledged to donate 5 percent of their current salary levels in FY 2009-2010 to the College to support the operating budget.
Vice President for Finance Pete Michell gave an overview of the College’s revenues and spending. He noted that 88 percent of revenues come from tuition and fees, and 64 percent of the spending is related to employee compensation. For a full copy of his PowerPoint presentation, click here. Also see FAQs.
The budget calls for reductions in faculty and staff salary pools, which will be achieved through the management of vacancies, reductions in adjunct faculty and lecturers, reductions in staff hours and some targeted staff reductions. Those whose positions are being cut will be notified by no later than March 20, Brother Ronald said.
Provost Beth Dobkin said there may be a 20 to 25 percent reduction in the adjunct faculty pool. The decisions will be based on which courses need to be offered.
"We’re doing everything we can to hang on," Dobkin said. "This is not a comment on anybody’s performance. It’s a comment on what classes need to be taught."
Those who attended the meeting were asked to brainstorm with others at their table over the priorities for things that they wanted restored to the budget if possible and for other ways the College could achieve savings.
Afterward, some faculty and staff members reported that people wanted to see the retirement contributions returned to previous levels, more collaboration with local community colleges and an increase in financial aid for students. Others said they had discussed evaluating the outsourced work the College does, looking at going from a Division 1 to Division 3 school in the NCAA, creating incentives for early retirement, expanding summer session and becoming more energy efficient.
College administrators hope to get more input from faculty, staff and students on the budget situation through a new blog.
-- Erin Hallissy
Office of College Communications
