Yesterday, the state level leadership of public higher education met with the membership of the Senate Finance Committee. During that hearing, the commissioner of higher education, Sally Clausen, supported by the four system presidents, presented a planning model developed to demonstrate the dollar impact of the loss of the $300 million in ARRA or federal stimulus support. Those dollars disappear July 1, 2011, and create a need to reduce institutional budgets by upwards of 30 percent.

It seems that the higher education leadership simply started with the lowest four-year university budget and moved up in dollar amount, university by university, until they reached the $300 million total. Clearly, the result of that exercise designated 8 primarily regional universities, basically leaving one regional institution and five so called research universities untouched.

As said before the Senate hearing and quoted by the media, this was simply an exercise to dramatize the seriousness of the $300 million shortfall looming ahead in July 2011. Motivation aside, it is left to the affected university communities to pick up the pieces so to speak. And, for each of us, the result of this exercise is most personal in nature.

With approximately 140,000 individuals attending Louisianas public universities and about 50,000 being directly affected by the closure of the 8 institutions sited, we will see fully one-third of Louisianians being turned away from access to four-year higher education. More directly, service regions, like that served by Nicholls State University, would totally lose access to four-year higher education.

I cannot believe that in the final analysis that scenario will play out.  Therefore, for the present, I am asking all members of the university community to remain calm as the state moves forward with its financial decision-making.  As usual, I will keep you and all of our university friends aware of on-going discussions affecting Nicholls State University.

Over the past several months, I have held open forums with faculty and staff groups alike in an effort to share available information regarding the evolving financial crisis facing Louisiana’s colleges and universities.  In truth, all that I have been able to say is that there are many more unknowns than knowns regarding state appropriation support for the 2010-2011 fiscal year ahead, little less that for 2011-2012.

However, what is known is that if the State’s Executive Budget for 2010-2011 proceeds as proposed, Nicholls State University will have a total of $7.9 million in ARRA or federal stimulus dollars supplanting recurring state appropriation dollars.  As importantly, those federal dollars are set to expire on June 30, 2011.  The university’s budget for 2011-2012 that takes effect on July 1, 2011, would then require new revenues to support the federal dollars and/or program reductions to eliminate the $7.9 million decline in budget support.

Since July 1, 2008, and the onset of the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Nicholls has faced four budget cuts amounting to a total of $7.29 million, from a $35.95 million state appropriation base to a current appropriation of $28.66 million, for a combined reduction of 20.3 percent in state support.

Accompanying this communication, you will find a summary statement regarding the impact of the budget cuts.

A review of that statement will show that the dollar loss of the federal stimulus support will reduce the state appropriation support to $20.73 million; a total decrease of $15.2 million or 42.3 percent since July 1, 2008.

To date, the impact of the four budget cuts and attached program reductions has been felt by relatively small numbers of students.  The loss of valued faculty and staff colleagues and the assumption of additional teaching and administrative work load by the remaining employees have not been felt beyond the individuals affected.

What lies ahead before Louisiana finds the true bottom of its financial challenges is totally unknown.  However, it would be irresponsible for us not to prepare as best we may to address the further loss of state appropriation support.

To that end, we have continued the data collection and planning effort initiated last year when Nicholls became the first Louisiana public university to make significant program reductions.  Additionally, I have now directed the vice presidents and deans to work across affected staff to consider program and related budget reductions that may need to be considered in the event that the full loss of federal stimulus dollars is not supplanted by other resources by July 1, 2011.  That process will also encourage program efficiencies to generate new dollar savings and thereby mitigate the extent of possible program changes.

The initial stage of the planning review is scheduled for completion by May 28, 2010.  As planning and final decision making moves forward throughout the summer months and into the fall semester, steps will be taken to engage student, staff, and faculty leadership in that process.

As always, I will keep you informed as to changing conditions.

Download: Nicholls Budget Reduction History – April 2010 (PDF)

This morning, the University of Louisiana System presidents conducted a teleconference meeting with System President Randy Moffett.  The purpose of that discussion was to consider State Commissioner of Higher Education, Sally Clausen’s, email communication of Wednesday afternoon indicating that potential state revenue short falls could result in a second budget reduction this year amounting to 22.3 million dollars for the University of Louisiana System.

While no actual dollar amounts have been shared from Baton Rouge, if our mid-year experience holds true, Nicholls will face a 7.75 percent budget cut amounting to upwards of $1,729,342.  Clearly, such an amount coming in the ninth month of the 2009-2010 fiscal year and less than two months from the close of the academic year, creates unprecedented challenges.  More specifically, there is some question whether or not the university could even reach its share of any actual further budget cut.

While we have no firm information regarding the extent of any budget cut that may be looming ahead, days or months from now, we must take some proactive steps while there is still time to do so.  Clearly, the state will not know how serious the situation is until the March revenue estimates are available in mid-April.  To do nothing in the meantime is unacceptable and does nothing to protect the financial integrity of the university or the services it provides to its students.

To that end, I am moving immediately to suspend all discretionary spending.  While many of us realize that 90 percent of the 2009-2010 fiscal year budget is spent or committed through encumbrance at this point, we must still do what we can in order to free up available resources.

The volatility of the current budget situation at the state level is such that conditions are changing moment to moment.  I will keep the university community informed as I receive any new information, instruction or guidance.

The 2010 Regular Legislative Session begins at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 29th and concludes at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 21st.  While the focus of this session is not, by statute, one of finance and budget, the revenue challenges facing Louisiana will make the forty days of negotiation and decision-making all about budget.

Over the course of the session, most of the attention of this office and that of the University of Louisiana System, will be focused on activities impacting the 2010-2011 fiscal appropriation as well as institutional authority to set tuition and charge tuition across the full range of credit hours taken as well as that affecting institutional authority for purchasing, travel and the handling of year-end unexpended funds.

Mr. Larry Howell, the Associate Provost, will again serve as the university’s legislative liaison.  He and I will communicate, as appropriate, to individuals campus-wide and to the university community in general to keep everyone involved and to solicit advice and assistance, as necessary.

I know that the budget challenges of the past two years have left a mark on staff morale.  As we move through this legislative session, everyone need be careful not to let legislative debate, media coverage of same, or rumors gain ground across the campus.  Each of us needs to keep a balanced perspective and to work to ensure that the university comes through this difficult time in as strong a position as possible.

If university community members have suggestions or advice regarding legislative matters, please feel free to contact Larry or me.

Thank you!

As I welcome faculty, staff and students back to the campus for the Spring Semester 2010, each of us remains keenly aware of the financial challenges that continue to plague Louisiana and, more specifically, its two and four year colleges and universities.  In late December of 2009, the state announced yet another mid-year budget reduction for higher education, this time amounting to $83.9 million.  For Nicholls, that cut was $1.64 million or approximately 5 percent of our state appropriation.

While last year’s mid-year budget reduction came as a surprise and caused considerable harm to the academic program and student services, this year we were better prepared and, in fact, had assumed that another budget reduction might take place.  When we enjoyed an enrollment gain this fall, we “banked” those revenues and did not apply them against a significant back log of operating needs.  Additionally, by holding vacant positions open since August 2009, the university has generated another $700,000 in savings.  Yes, the university was hurt by not using these dollars, but we have covered the $1.64 million mid-year budget reduction without further interruption to academic programs and services that we faced a year ago.

I sincerely hope that over the remaining months of the 2009-10 academic year, we will not face significant operating surprises, such as the cold weather of the past weeks and the unanticipated repair costs attributed to those conditions.  If all goes as we have planned, we will close the academic year without personnel or program cuts.

As I said before Faculty Institute and in meetings of the administrative staff and classified personnel, it is the faculty and staff who have helped get Nicholls through this difficult time.  Everyone has stepped forward to assume additional responsibilities as positions have been eliminated or held open.  This is clearly one of the reasons why Nicholls has evolved into the fine regional university it is today.

I cannot tell you what lies ahead, but I know that together we will continue to address the challenges and opportunities that will further define the role, scope, and mission of Nicholls State University into the future.

My best to each of you for a great spring semester 2010.  I look forward to working with this fine faculty and staff in our shared effort of strengthening Nicholls State University.

For some weeks now, I have wanted to write the university family to address the several issues and rumors surrounding the work of the Louisiana Postsecondary Education Review Commission (sometimes referred to as the Tucker Commission). Unfortunately, addressing this matter is very much like “picking up a porcupine.” One tries for the soft underbelly but gets mostly the sharp spines (sorry for the Montana metaphor).

The Postsecondary Education Review Commission was created by Act 309 of the 2009 Louisiana Legislature to study the governance, facilities, and funding operations at the state’s public two and four-year institutions and to provide a written report of findings and recommendations. This group is staffed by the Louisiana Board of Regents.

The organizational meeting of this group occurred on August 10th, with the latest meetings occurring on September 28th and 29th. On the 28th, Ben Nevers, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, was elected chair of the Commission. Attached to this correspondence, you will find a listing of the total commission membership (Attachment 1) as well as the minutes of the organizational meeting on August 10th (Attachment 2).

Community members wishing to follow the deliberations of the Commission may do so by going to http://laperc.ioniclogic.com/. At that link, you will find a broad array of documents pertaining to the work of the Commission. You will also find a link to live coverage of this Commission when it is in session.

While the Commission is just now getting about its work, the rumor mill has been active for the past several months. Locally, the chatter, rumors, and gossip have focused on a comment by a regional legislator saying something to the effect that Nicholls was in the bull’s eye.

While I know no more than anyone else about the political intent behind the Commission or the direction of its deliberations, I can tell you that such comments, while intended to rally the community to support the university, are simply not accurate. However, each of us knows that such comments can easily affect student applications and enrollment.

So how do we respond to the chatter within the broader community and the occasional inflammatory print media headline? Clearly, that response has to be cautious and deliberate, as we do not want to intensify the debate or sound particularly defensive.

The approach taken over the past weeks has been to encourage university friends at all levels to counter such comments with observations about the many program successes at Nicholls. This effort has also involved media releases addressing positive messages such as that recently about eighty-plus percent of regional nurses coming from Nicholls.

The goal has been to inform rather than to be defensive. Each of us knows the strength of the university in terms of its faculty, academic programs, accreditations, and the facilities and service enhancements that make Nicholls so strong. We also know that the average ACT of first-time freshmen is now at 21.5, reflecting a significantly stronger student body which in turn has led to higher retention rates.

As I indicated earlier, no one knows what lies ahead as a result of the on-going deliberations and further recommendations of the Commission. Even more importantly, no one knows the political agenda that will play out in balancing higher education priorities with the greatly diminished available financial resources available to the State of Louisiana. During the interim, I want to encourage all members of the university community as well as its many friends to keep a positive outlook and to speak out addressing just how successful Nicholls State University has been in its first 61 years of service to south central Louisiana.

As needed in the future, we will aggressively defend this fine young university; but at the same time, we will continue to move Nicholls forward as a maturing comprehensive university. Nicholls has responded to the evolving needs of its service region. We will continue to do so in the future.

Attachments

PERC Membership (PDF)

PERC Minutes 8-10-09 (PDF)

FR: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

Nicholls State University Retention and Graduation Rates

Recent articles in the Times Picayune and USA Today have called attention to the 6-year graduation rates of Louisiana universities citing data collected by CABL and Education Trust. The articles also discuss the state’s newly proposed funding formula which incorporates graduation rates as major criterion for funding universities. Although the actual graduation rates cited vary by publication (See CABL vs. Education Trust) there is consistency in the fact that graduation rates for ALL Louisiana institutions (private and state supported) are below those of their peer institutions with the exception of Louisiana Tech. (See Appendix A)

Regional institutions with lower admission standards (SREB III and IV institutions – primarily undergraduate teaching institutions) than those of research institutions must maintain the same rigor in terms of academic expectations so that our students will pass the same national boards and exams (such as nursing or certified public accountant) as those students attending research institutions. It should not be surprising, then, that graduation rates for regional institutions will be lower than those of research institutions with higher admission standards. But what is the explanation for the lower graduation rates for ALL Louisiana institutions?

The purpose of this paper is to alert readers to some of the variables that have been identified as impacting graduation rates and describe actions that have already been taken to address the graduation rate issue. Although this discussion will use Nicholls initiatives and data to illustrate the changes, note that the trends reported are reflective of all University of Louisiana System universities.

The Postsecondary Education Review Commission (PERC) has recently begun its examination of the higher education system in Louisiana to make recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our system. But Louisiana institutions of higher learning have been aware of the state’s historically low graduation rates and have been taking steps to address this issue for some time now. Changes within the universities have been made to improve graduation rates over the last six or seven years, even before admission standards were implemented. Indeed projected graduation rates for Nicholls State University are already indicating a significant increase for its 2003 pre-admission standards cohort.

It is critical that the Postsecondary Education Review Commission not rely on data based on pre-selective admissions standards that does not clearly reflect the changes that have occurred at our regional institutions. The results of our efforts will become most clear with the 2012 graduation rates – for the 2006 cohort. For Nicholls and other universities located in the southern region, it is important to use the 2006 cohort rather than the 2005 cohort since there was much disruption to enrollment due to the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

Those familiar with the Louisiana system of higher education know that up until the early 2000s, our students were able to enter many of our universities through an open admissions policy – there were no criteria for admitting students, so many students were admitted who, admittedly, were unprepared for college level work. Indeed, the six-year graduation rate for Nicholls has consistently been between 25% and 30%. But in 2005, Nicholls and other sister institutions began implementing admission standards that called for “selective” admissions based on numerous criteria. It is anticipated that this change in the admission standards of our university will lead to an increase in our six-year graduation rate.

Specifically, greatly improved retention rates, quality of students measured by ACT scores, and higher high school GPAs, already point to much improved graduation rates for the 2006 cohort. The four-year bachelor seeking, same institution graduation rate has increased from 8.7% for the 2000 cohort to 13.4% for the 2005 cohort. Six year rates for this cohort will not be officially calculated and reported until 2011. In adjusting IPEDS reporting data (bachelor seeking, same institution) to reflect credentials of students entering the university in 2001-02 to the anticipated admissions criteria, Nicholls experienced an increased graduation rate from 25.9% for the 2000-2001 cohort to 34.9% for the 2003-04 cohort.

HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATION

There is the question of why graduation rates for all Louisiana institutions are lower than average. One possible explanation points to the preparation of our high school graduates. But this too is changing and should lead to improved graduation rates for all Louisiana institutions. The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) was initiated to promote academic success by requiring completion of a college-preparatory core curriculum. Students receive financial incentives based on high school performance and must maintain their performance level in higher education to continue receiving their awards. According to TOPS Report published by the Board of Regents (Appendix A), 51% of entering freshmen received TOPS in the fall 2007. Graduation rates for TOPS recipients averaged 58% from the 1998 to the 2001 cohorts. In this vain, Nicholls has had the percentage of first-time freshmen receiving TOPS increase from 35.1% in 2000 to 59.0% in 2009.

According to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), the quality of first-time college freshmen entering into higher education has improved significantly in recent years. From the LDOE report on Fall 2008 First-Time College Freshmen State Report, the percentage of students enrolled in developmental education in either a two-year or four-year public or nonpublic college or university decreased from 36% of the fall 2001 cohort to 26% of the fall 2008 cohort. The average ACT Composite score improved from the fall 2001 freshmen class average of 19.6 to the fall 2008 class average of 20.3. The increase in quality has not been achieved at the expense of access. There are more students from the 2008 high school graduating class, 21,273 (50% of high school graduates) than from the 2001 graduating class 20,787 (44%) enrolled in higher education in the state.

EXTERNAL VARIABLES IMPACTING GRADUATION RATES

There are factors unique to university locations that are likely to impact graduation rates, such as the availability of jobs that require less than a four year degree, the unemployment rate, or natural disasters. For example, south Louisiana has experienced numerous devastating hurricanes since 2005 that have impacted retention and, thus, graduation rates.

Additionally, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, the Houma-Thibodaux Metro area offers its community many construction and oil-field related jobs at attractive wages which encourages potential students to enter the job market rather than the university or community college system. Indeed, a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau reports that “The Houma-Thibodaux metro area, one of eight metropolitan areas in the state, had a median income of $30,819 last year. That’s the highest median income for Louisiana workers 16 years and older. Statewide, the median income was $26,457 in 2008. . . State demographers said jobs in the local oil-and-gas industry are likely the root of the healthy salaries, especially for workers with only high-school educations”. (See Appendix A)

Another factor impacting graduation rates is the need of many of our students to work while attending school, forcing many to limit course loads. Institutions in the University of Louisiana System (ULS) have participated in the ACT Student Opinion Survey for many years. Students are asked to report how many hours per week they work. According to the most recent survey, administered in the spring of 2009, over half (50.9%) of the students in the ULS reported working 11 or more hours per week. Even more detrimental to academic progress, more than a fourth of the ULS students (27.8%) work in excess of 20 hours per week.

RETENTION

Nicholls State University, along with other system institutions, has long recognized the need to focus on student retention and, thus, in addition to increasing admission standards, Nicholls has implemented numerous strategies in regards to retention. Major initiatives have included revamping the freshman math program in an effort to increase the student completion rate in these courses; developing a University College with a focus on student retention; implementing a Master Advisor Program to help develop faculty in their advising efforts; and developing a Center for Advancing Faculty Engagement to assist faculty in their teaching efforts.

In response to the workforce needs of the regions, the nursing bachelors program is now conducting exceptional sessions each summer offering all clinical nursing courses. It is anticipated that this session will accelerate progression to graduation by one entire academic year for all nursing students who participate.

Many campus initiatives have been implemented since 2003 to improve systems for conducting business with the campus in terms of registration and fee payments. It is unclear what impact each of these initiatives has had individually, but it is clear that the efforts are leading to better retention and graduation rates. The evidence of this improvement is demonstrated in much improved retention rates. Specifically, Nicholls’ statewide retention rates of students from freshman to sophomore year have already increased from 65% for the 2001-02 cohort to 78.7% for the 2007-08 cohort. Nicholls’ same institution rate rose from 55.5% to 66.3% over the same time frame.

As is evident in Figure 1 (attached), as retention rates increase graduation rates will follow. The dip in the retention from 2004 to 2005 is due to the Katrina effect. The retention rate has begun to climb back up from that point. All of this taken together leads to a valid conclusion that 6-year graduation rates will be greatly improved by 2012!

Appendix A

Times Picayune article of Louisiana Graduation Rates
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/tougher_college_admissions_sta.html

USA Today article on Formula Funding
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-05-26-college-funding_N.htm

Education Trust Site:
http://www.collegeresults.org/

Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana First-Time College Freshmen State Report Fall 2008, June 2009.
http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/uploads/14460.pdf

Louisiana Board of Regents, TOPS Report, May 2009.
http://www.regents.state.la.us/pdfs/TOPS/TOPSRPT09.PDF

U.S. Census Bureau Reports, Daily Comet, September 22, 2009.
http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20090922/ARTICLES/909229935/1212/stormpost&tc=email_newsletter

Mid-year, and most recently, FY 2009-2010 budget reductions have resulted in an almost 14½ percent cut in state support when compared against a year ago at this time. Clearly, the program and personnel cuts we put into place well before the close of the legislative session were difficult to make.

I have promised my faculty colleagues that I will share rather candid observations about the budget reduction experience of this past spring, but that will be at another time and through a different format. For now, it is time to get back to the business of the university…even though campus life this year and two years out will be anything but “as usual!” However, now is not a time to be timid or to shrink from the opportunities that lie in front of us as we continue to grow this fine young university!

During the fall of 2010, we will undertake the strategic planning process for the next five-year cycle (2011-2015) in the life of this maturing, comprehensive university. It may seem strange to think about planning for the future when the present is so tenuous, but the financial challenges facing Louisiana and the nation as a whole also offer significant opportunity.

Clearly reaching for opportunities during a time of crisis or challenge has set the stage for considerable success for many universities in the aftermath of previous recessions. Finding or embracing opportunity, whether with bold and ambitious changes or with carefully considered cuts and targeted investments, is crucial in times like these.

While across the board budget cuts and freezes may be politically palatable (and that is exactly how Baton Rouge handled itself), difficult decision-making will benefit the university more in the long term. Simply stated, hard choices to cut programs and services along with focused investment in new program initiatives not only can soften the blow of financial difficulties, they can lead to a competitive advantage.

Over the past winter and spring months, this university undertook a comprehensive review of programs and services. We established planning parameters, which focused in great part around protecting the academic core of the university: the disciplines that deliver the general education and the major program concentrations that produce the greatest number of graduates, and for which Nicholls has become so well known. In reaching decisions, we took steps to eliminate low-completer undergraduate programs and two-year associate degree programming that reflect the past of the university.

No decision came easily, whether it was to affect the lives of approximately 600 students or that of a number of our faculty and administrative colleagues. Every area of the university was affected by the budget cuts in one form or another. And while a number of faculty and staff colleagues are no longer with us, for those of us who remain here, there has to be the question of what’s next.

None of us can predict the future, but what we can and will do is to go about the business of making Nicholls an even better university. Remember there is absolutely nothing wrong with Nicholls State University. It is the State of Louisiana that faces enormous financial and operating challenges. It is Louisiana that has not chosen to fund education adequately at all levels for all of these years. It is Louisiana that now faces the reality of whether or not it has the will to find means to support education to the full extent necessary.

Nicholls has achieved everything that was expected of it under the Board of Regents’ master plan for higher education. Together we have transitioned the institution to selective admissions, significantly increased the ACT (21.5) and class standing of entering students, attained an impressive record of accreditation at all levels and substantially increased the role of faculty in scholarship, research and service. Sixty percent of our students are now TOPS qualified. We have raised the first-time freshman retention rate to 66 percent from 54 percent. Our goals are for still higher rates, but the success to date is still impressive for a university that through 2005 was “open admissions.”

All of this is affecting our graduation rates. The press is currently reporting our graduation rate as 25.9%, but this is for the fall 2000 cohort, graduating by summer 2006. Our current reports to Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), however, indicate improved rates of 29.8% for 2007 (2001 cohort) and 33.4% for 2008 (2002 cohort). Nicholls Office of Assessment and Institutional Research has also indicated that the graduation rate for 2009 (2003 cohort) will be reported as 34.9%. Although our rates have increased by 9 percentage points over the past three years, they are still below the national average of our peer institutions. It will not be until the summer of 2012 that we will know the full effects of the new selective admission standards and the many programs and initiatives that have been implemented and will be implemented. The fact is that we must continue to increase graduation rates to serve our students better and to protect the future of the university. To date, the university has done much to serve students through advising, tutorial, service and related initiatives. The several dozen faculty members who have gained advising certification reflect individual contributions to this effort. It is now critical that all of us focus on individual efforts to assist students to progress to degree. This involves attitude changes, faculty development, and engagement of students in the classroom or through in-service learning. Any and all individual efforts will lead to greater retention rates and higher graduation rates. The question I put to each of you is what are you doing individually? What are your departmental colleagues doing individually and together?

Finally, as I close these remarks, I must speak briefly about the Louisiana Post Secondary Education Review Commission, sometimes referred to as the Tucker Commission. The work of this group is to be completed by February 2010. During the intervening months, we will hear many rumors, challenges and questions about two- and four-year higher education. The media will cover and report the most negative of discussions before the commission. Each of us knows just how successful Nicholls State University is in support of this broad South Central Louisiana region. Speak up giving your personal examples. Share the outcomes of the recent economic impact study and improved graduation rates… do not remain quiet!

So, let our primary goals for this academic year be two-fold: first, focus on the positive and communicate that message across the university and broader communities, and second, bring that positive energy into action in support of student success and progress to degree. That is, focus on what you can do to enhance graduation rates!!!

Thank you and let’s have another successful year at this fine university!

Stephen T. Hulbert
President

Yesterday I provided you with what information I had available concerning the budget for fiscal year 2009-2010, which we officially begin today.  Later in the day, Dr. Randy Moffett provided me with the first set of figures indicating the scope of our budget cut, and I can now report that the reduction figure Dr. Moffett provided is approximately $3 million, or 8.6% of last year’s state funding.  Including our midyear budget reduction, the total reduction from the beginning of 2008-2009 is a little over $4.4 million or 12.3% of state funding.

We will now begin the allocation process for the new year.  However, most of the changes made as a result of the budget reductions will remain in place.  We have a commitment of $1.1 million to pay the faculty that were given a one year notice because their program was eliminated.  We plan to eliminate any furloughs mainly because Nicholls was the only institution in the system that did not have money last year to provide pay increases for faculty or staff.  Also, since everyone will be asked to do more, we do not want them to do it for less and in less time.  We also have areas such as insurance, contracts and utilities that will be increased without any increase in funding to cover them.
As we begin this new year, there are a few points I wish to address.  The first is that the process that we just went through was neither pleasant nor university-initiated, but it was something that we had to do in order to protect the integrity of Nicholls State University.  As a result, some campus offices today are staffed with fewer and different people than they were yesterday.  To those who are no longer with us, I offer them my sincere best wishes.  I also join the rest of the campus in thanking them for their dedicated service to Nicholls during their tenure.  We wish them well as they seek new opportunities.

To those who have moved to different positions on campus, I also wish you success in your new position.  While your former co-workers will miss you, you have an opportunity to continue making valuable contributions to our success in pursuing the educational mission of Nicholls State University.  I hope that you find satisfaction in your new role.

Finally, I want to stress that this is not a time for any of us to turn away from our commitment to this university.  While we do hear talk of additional cuts to higher education in the near future, we must go about our daily work in pursuit of excellence in educating our students and in serving our region.  I want you to know that my commitment to this university is just as strong and my hope for its future is just as positive as the day that I arrived and assumed its presidency six years ago.  While the challenges may be greater and the future somewhat uncertain, I want to join each of you in making Nicholls the best regional institution that it can possibly become.  We owe the students and the people of this region nothing less.

Stephen T. Hulbert
President

I know that most of you, like me, have followed the news reports about the just-concluded legislative session in Baton Rouge with a mixture of hope and apprehension. We all hoped that the governor’s proposed cuts to our university’s budget for 2009-10 might somehow be restored, and that the budget reduction plan I announced this spring might not have to be implemented to its full extent.

Thankfully, higher education in our state has been spared the full brunt of the proposed budget cuts. Even though the state has managed to restore some of the funds we were warned might be taken away, the cuts are a fact and they are going to have a significant effect.  The state is no longer providing a level of support that enables Nicholls to fully fund our educational programs and pay our operating expenses as we have in recent years.

None of us will know the precise amount of state funding for higher education in 2009-10 until the governor signs the new state budget into law. When he does, the Board of Regents will work with the board of the University of Louisiana System to determine how state funds will be allocated among Nicholls and its sister institutions.  Only then will we know exactly how much money Nicholls stands to receive—and how much our budget reduction will be—for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

I regret to say that we must implement the campus budget reduction plan as it stands. The uncertainty of the 2009-10 and future state budgets, the funding of salaries and fringe benefits for the 20 faculty that were given a one year notice, the ever-increasing costs for such expenses as insurance and utilities—all of these factors mean that Nicholls must curtail spending, even though the cuts in state funding for our university may not be as severe as had been indicated.

As soon as we learn more, I will give you an update. Until then, we must prepare ourselves to accept the changes that are about to happen at Nicholls.

Stephen T. Hulbert
President