Budget forums forecast spending for 2009-2010
Amanda Smith | Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/10/09 Section: News
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Earlier this year the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) began placing restrictions on the spending of all state funds. These restrictions only allowed for the approval of such mandatory obligations as payroll, utilities and financial aid. By the end of the 2008-09 year, UNCW had reverted $12.3 million in funding back to the state, according to Chancellor DePaolo's presentation at the budget forums.
"We maintained certain principles as we determined where and what we'd cut, with the first being principle that we'd protect the academic experience as much as possible. That goal will undoubtedly be compromised with this year's additional, significant cuts," Chancellor DePaolo explained.
In August, the OSBM revised the state mandated budget restrictions, which allowed UNCW to begin managing their own expenses, but imposed a 5-percent reversion on UNCW's certified budget. This reversion equates to a $5.1 million loss in funding.
Academic programs have had to make adjustments to manage budgets and meet these cuts. Departments started making significant changes to their operating budgets at the beginning of the year. In fiscal year 2009-10, such restrictions are expected to continue.
"The biggest change this year will be to operating budgets. The type of reductions will include supplies, travel, equipment and wages. In most cases, there are already fewer part-time faculty and staff to help departments carry the workload," said Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs, Charles Maimone.
The continued budget reductions are also expected to increase the size of classes and the workloads of faculty members.
"Sections will have to be reduced, class sizes will increase, and the operating budgets that enable people to do their work will be further diminished," Chancellor DePaolo said.
There are currently no plans to increase tuition for the spring 2010 semester. Typically, every year the Campus Initiated Tuition Committee, a committee that is comprised of faculty, staff and student representatives, meets to consider increases to tuition. However, according to Maimone, this year their input on future tuition costs will be limited due to increases already imposed by the state.
"The NC State Legislators have already decided that an 8-percent or $200.00 increase, whichever is smaller, will be charged to all in-state undergraduate students. This tuition increase is not left with the campus, but returned to the state," Maimone said.
Despite budget restrictions, UNCW's administration maintains confidence that the university is adjusting well to meet the changes.
"Everyone's taking on more in their work to fill the gaps left by the positions that have been or will be cut. I'm so grateful to everyone on campus for the way they've handled these difficulties, and I hope student interest will continue as the situation continues to unfold," Chancellor DePaolo said.
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