Category I Final Budget Reductions

[posted June 3, 2003]

Dear Colleagues,

My thanks to all those who wrote or emailed me with their comments and suggestions about the Category I budget reduction proposals. These communications not only provided valuable understanding about the nature of the programs involved and their importance to various campus constituencies, but they also demonstrated the dramatic impact the state budget reductions will have on our campus and on those whom we serve. Let me outline the next steps in our process.

The following table indicates the final budget reductions for each item in Category I. As will be obvious, there is little change in the amounts required for the simple reason that the prospects for our budget have not improved in the legislature and the requirement for reduction remains as before. At the same time, the many comments from our colleagues have helped me understand how best to approach implementing these reductions in ways that minimize as much as possible the damage this will cause campus programs, especially those in teaching and research. Although some of the information I received appeared to indicate that a few of these programs might have been more appropriately categorized in Category II, the location of these programs did not affect my decisions about the amount of reduction required.

Each program identified on this list will need to prepare a plan for meeting the budget reduction required. The plan should include alternative sources of income and reductions in expenses over some reasonably short period of time depending on the unit and its mission. Guidelines will be provided through the Vice Chancellors. Some of these units will be able to implement their plans within six months or less, others may require a year or so, and a few perhaps a bit longer. While we want the adjustments to cause minimum damage, we all must remember that the longer the adjustment process takes the more it will cost the campus in one-time support funds that could be used for other purposes in support of teaching or research or other student, faculty, or staff activities. As a result, our review of the plans will seek to encourage the fastest possible reduction.

The budget reduction plans for each unit must be completed and approved by July 1st which of course is when our reduced budget goes into effect. These plans should be submitted to the Vice Chancellor or through the Dean to the Provost as appropriate. As we receive these plans we will be able to incorporate their results into the campus five year budget plan that will guide us as we cope with the consequences of the legislatively mandated state revenue reduction.

Let me reiterate here my appreciation for the many comments I received. Although I was able to answer most of them, some came in after the deadline and others I may have missed for a lack of time. In any case, the commitment of our extended community is manifest in these communications and I am persuaded that it is this strength that will allow us to supercede these temporary difficulties with class, style, and quality.

Many thanks for your help. We will all need your assistance as well as we post the Category II proposals tomorrow evening.

Sincerely yours,

John V. Lombardi
Chancellor

FY04 Budget Planning Final Category I Reductions (PDF)




FY07 Budget Update Amherst 250 Plan: Step One, An Interim Report Amherst 250 Plan Financial Master Plan Budget Document Archive Home	Category I Final Budget Reductions [posted June 3, 2003] Dear Colleagues, My thanks to all those who wrote or emailed me with their comments and suggestions about the Category I budget reduction proposals. These communications not only provided valuable understanding about the nature of the programs involved and their importance to various campus constituencies, but they also demonstrated the dramatic impact the state budget reductions will have on our campus and on those whom we serve. Let me outline the next steps in our process. The following table indicates the final budget reductions for each item in Category I. As will be obvious, there is little change in the amounts required for the simple reason that the prospects for our budget have not improved in the legislature and the requirement for reduction remains as before. At the same time, the many comments from our colleagues have helped me understand how best to approach implementing these reductions in ways that minimize as much as possible the damage this will cause campus programs, especially those in teaching and research. Although some of the information I received appeared to indicate that a few of these programs might have been more appropriately categorized in Category II, the location of these programs did not affect my decisions about the amount of reduction required. Each program identified on this list will need to prepare a plan for meeting the budget reduction required. The plan should include alternative sources of income and reductions in expenses over some reasonably short period of time depending on the unit and its mission. Guidelines will be provided through the Vice Chancellors. Some of these units will be able to implement their plans within six months or less, others may require a year or so, and a few perhaps a bit longer. While we want the adjustments to cause minimum damage, we all must remember that the longer the adjustment process takes the more it will cost the campus in one-time support funds that could be used for other purposes in support of teaching or research or other student, faculty, or staff activities. As a result, our review of the plans will seek to encourage the fastest possible reduction. The budget reduction plans for each unit must be completed and approved by July 1st which of course is when our reduced budget goes into effect. These plans should be submitted to the Vice Chancellor or through the Dean to the Provost as appropriate. As we receive these plans we will be able to incorporate their results into the campus five year budget plan that will guide us as we cope with the consequences of the legislatively mandated state revenue reduction. Let me reiterate here my appreciation for the many comments I received. Although I was able to answer most of them, some came in after the deadline and others I may have missed for a lack of time. In any case, the commitment of our extended community is manifest in these communications and I am persuaded that it is this strength that will allow us to supercede these temporary difficulties with class, style, and quality. Many thanks for your help. We will all need your assistance as well as we post the Category II proposals tomorrow evening. Sincerely yours, John V. Lombardi Chancellor	FY04 Budget Planning Final Category I Reductions (PDF)


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