University President

TO: Faculty,  Staff, and Students

Yesterday, Nicholls State University submitted its Budget Reduction Plan for 2009-10.  Since this was a “planning exercise” to be completed over a very short period of time, we did not provide the state with specific programmatic or personnel changes required to meet the 15.8 or 28.5 percent planning strategies.  Simply stated, no final decisions have been made by the state or at this level.

When the state has made a final decision, I will share more detailed information regarding this plan with you, and also offer an opportunity for communication with and input from the entire Nicholls community to finalize the plan.

I have already shared information across the university community to help individuals and groups to express concern over the proposed cuts.  Additionally, I have composed a letter to the editor that has been sent to regional print and electronic media.

Please know that I do appreciate the wide array of suggestions regarding budget cuts or efficiencies that I am receiving from faculty, staff, and students.  I appreciate your patience and consideration as we continue to work through this stressful process.

TO: The University Community

Members of the university community have asked for a summary of notes concerning the financial challenges facing Nicholls State University and higher education in general.  Please feel free to use the attached information in expressing your views.

Nicholls Financial Challenges 2009-2010 (PDF)

Nicholls Financial Challenges 2009-2010 (MS Word)

TO: The University Community

Louisiana’s Division of Administration has now instructed higher education to prepare two financial plans or scenarios, that if implemented, would result in a substantial reduction in state appropriation for the 2009-2010 fiscal year ahead.  For the University of Louisiana System (ULS), the lowest proposed reduction is $64,590,813 and the highest is $116,426,425.  In turn, Nicholls State University is facing a lower cut of $4,773,579 or 15.8 percent and a maximum reduction of $8,604,487 or 28.5 percent.

Clearly, a budget cut of either magnitude would be incredibly damaging to the university, its students, faculty, staff, and service area.

Between now and the Monday, January 26th submission deadline, steps will be taken to complete the necessary planning effort to prepare both planning exercises.  In doing so, we will consider potential program reductions while seeking to protect the academic core.  At the same time, we will consider every possible source of additional revenue, before any reduction is actually implemented for FY 2009-2010.

As we move to complete this budget planning document, we will keep the university community informed while also seeking the advice of campus leadership at all levels.

TO: The University Community

As we re-open the university for the spring semester 2009, the financial challenges that have been facing our nation have taken hold in Louisiana. In turn, the resulting decline in state revenues has brought mid-year budget reductions to most governmental agencies including that of higher education. (more…)