News
UW-SP to endure millions in budget cuts; Diemer looking for options
The Pointer
ataub878@uwsp.edu
As part of a UW-System-wide deficit, a slash of $174 million in the UW budget has been outlined by Gov. Jim Doyle and the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point will be faced with making major adjustments accordingly.
Cutting more than $5.6 million from the 2009-10 budgets and then an additional $1.9 million the following year, Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs at UW-SP, Greg Diemer, said these cuts were “not unexpected.”
The financial curtail is a result of revenue reductions in the State Treasury Department due to the economic downturn. This will impact many of the academic and administrative operations, students and other clientele.
UW-SP has made numerous proposals to cope with the cut in budgets, yet, as Diemer puts it, a “strong belief that education is important to grow the economy” has prompted officials to make some difficult decisions about what to cut and what to keep.
No faculty will be fired, but ten positions will be held vacant next year. Diemer said UW-SP is trying to protect the instructional area as much as possible; however, some positions will not be filled following retirements, resignations and one-year, no-intent-to-renew contracts.
A cut in additional class sections will also take place, which could increase class size.
Cuts will also occur in funds set aside for projects, such as furniture in a new residence hall. Diemer said, students might additionally notice that responses to service requests may take longer than in the past and some supply and equipment purchases may be delayed or cancelled.
This, however, should not worry students about the value of their education. Diemer attests that UW-SP has “always taken pride in the campus on service and quality of instruction,” and will continue to do so.
More measures being taken into consideration include evaluating scheduling as a means to reduce utility consumption and considering software that shuts down computers when they are not in use for some period of time. A reduction in travel to conferences and greater use of telephone and video-conferencing is also expected to help with the financial burden.
The possibility for an increase in enrollment to boost revenue is being considered as well as an increase in tuition; however, the tuition elevation will be not be determined until June or July by the Board of Regents.
All proposals are still tentative and will not be finalized until the budget is approved by the legislature.
But rest assured, Diemer believes “students should be confident that UW-SP will continue to provide a high level of excellence.”
