University President

To: Faculty and Staff
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

Yesterday afternoon, the University received notification from University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen announcing a budget reduction initiative. Based on a directive from Governor Kathleen Blanco, the U. L. System is effecting a “savings target” to bring the current year budget to the 98.25% level for the year ending on June 30, 2005. The 1.75 percent “savings target” assigned to the U. L. System amounts to a total of $5,033,400 of which $408,500 is the share assigned to Nicholls State University. This budget reduction is not one time in nature but we are being asked by Governor Blanco “to continue these efficiencies through the next fiscal year.”
In accordance with the established reporting deadlines for the Office of Planning and Budget, we have been given our own deadline of noon on Thursday, January 27th, to complete the decision-making process and to submit the necessary reports in which we identify the sources of the program and service cuts.

This budget reduction comes in a fiscal year of enrollment growth, which in itself entails additional institutional and operating costs. When one considers that in bringing up the 2004-05 fiscal year budget, it was necessary to implement an approximate four percent budget reduction within the University that, combined with the 1.75 cut, reflects the evolving burden on the institution, the academic program, and the students both serve.

I sincerely regret the necessity of the action and the expedited decision-making process. Decisions will be made within the central administration over the next 48 hours but with notification to the broad University community for communication purposes. I will also be inviting representatives of the various University constituent groups to briefings in this matter.

I appreciate the continued hard work and support of everyone in the Nicholls family, as we move through what clearly will be another period of challenging financial conditions. Budget planning for the 2005-06 Fiscal Year ahead and considerations regarding tuition and fee revenues will be very much impacted by the budget shortfall facing the State of Louisiana.

Of necessity, Nicholls will have to work carefully over this period, as we complete the transition to admission standards 2005 and prepare for SACS accreditation 2006.

To: Faculty and Staff
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

This message is being written on the eve of the reopening of the University and the beginning of classes for the Spring Semester 2005. I hope that each of you are rested and relaxed after the long mid-year break and have enjoyed the recent holidays.The Spring Semester Faculty Institute was a most productive event. The various presentations on planning, preparation for the SACS accreditation and academic advising demonstrated just how much activity has occurred over the fall months. I am particularly appreciative of the faculty, staff and broader community support for the planning effort.

While many of us were away between the Christmas and New Year holidays, private contractors supported by physical plant personnel were hard at work with classroom and related support service facility renovations. Powell Hall, Talbot Hall and the front areas of the Student Union were the recipients of more major work. Additionally, further work was completed on parking lots and road surfaces.

As I indicated at Faculty Institute, I appreciate the participation of upwards of 120 faculty and staff in the eight informal ?��Ǩ?�coffee?��Ǩ�� discussions that I held over the course of the fall semester. These candid, free flowing conversations were most instructive in helping me to better understand issues and concerns before the University. Another series of these ?��Ǩ?�coffee?��Ǩ�� discussions have been scheduled for the February and March months ahead.

From the comments by Laynie Pizzolatto, before the Institute, you are aware that much work lies ahead this semester to prepare for the 2006 SACS accreditation visit. Faculty and staff will be asked for information and support of this process. The timely response by all involved will be greatly appreciated and is central to the University?��Ǩ�Ѣs success during the SACS review.

In another area of accreditation, the College of Business Administration is now awaiting the arrival of the visiting team for its reaffirmation of accreditation by the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) February 27 ?��Ǩ��� March 2, 2005. The business faculty have completed an impressive self-study document and have every reason to be most confident in the forthcoming assessment.

The recent tragedy in Asia has prompted faculty members to e-mail me expressing hope that the University community will come together to provide formal support to the affected people. Representatives of Faculty Senate, the Student Government Association, the Classified Staff and the Unclassified Counsel will be working together to initiate such a fund raising initiative. While I know that many of us have already given to this cause, as the opportunity presents itself I hope each of us will consider contributing to this university community sponsored initiative.

Last fall I had the opportunity to be involved in teaching a class at the graduate level within the College of Education. While I very much enjoyed the student contact, teaching on such occasions only too clearly reminds me just how challenging and demanding the life of a faculty member truly is on a daily basis. Please know that I appreciate the hard work and dedication of faculty and staff alike. I wish each of you only the best over the spring semester ahead.