What should students expect next year?
The dean of each college at USU has been asked to outline a plan that will purge roughly 5 percent from their budget, and then present the outline to the Central Budget Committee by April 12, said USU Provost Raymond Coward.
“The 5 percent represents the maximum amount that any college, school or vice presidential unit will be asked to cut,” he said.
The proposed plan will need to include how the dean expects to aid in the university’s budget cuts through the maneuvering of spending or potential cuts, while still maintaining the core mission of their college and the university as a whole, Coward said.
“These are the moments in which good leaders exert themselves,” Coward said. “Being a leader is easy when there is fat money laying around and all you have to do is give it out; you can be bad and still be good in that situation.”
After the budget reduction plan for each college has been submitted to the Central Budget Committee, Coward said an overall plan will be submitted to USU’s president who will make the final decision on what cuts will be carried out. The final plan must be submitted by May 15, and final cuts will begin July 1, he said.
Amidst the rush to compile a plan best fitting their unit, the dean from every college at USU met with The Statesman to discuss what students can expect when they return to school for fall semester 2009.
College of Engineering
Students in the College of Engineering can expect fewer scholarships and fewer opportunities to attend national competitions in light of the dragging economy, said the college’s dean, Scott Hinton.
The weak stock market has resulted in fewer endowments for the college, as donors are unable to offer their usual amount, Hinton said. While this does affect the college as a whole, it affects the students specifically because many engineering scholarships are funded through those endowments, he said. To combat this, the college is approaching their frequent donors and asking for additional funding, Hinton said.
“We’re asking our major donors to kick in a little extra this year so the engineering departments can give full scholarships, and we’ve had a lot of donors say they’d like to help,” he said.
To compensate for fewer scholarships, Hinton said his college will be offering more opportunities for students to work as a research assistant.
The amount of money set aside for student projects and competitions may also take a hit next year, Hinton said. Usually, the money which funds those activities is generated through an annual phonathon, which Hinton believes may not provide the usual amount. However, these affected projects will not disappear. Rather, there will be less than in years past, he said.
Layoffs are another inevitability in light of budget cuts. However, due to faculty and staff around the college opting for early retirement, fewer layoffs may be necessary, Hinton said.
As a result of layoffs, Hinton said students can expect larger class sizes for general subjects, in addition to certain classes not being offered next year. However, these classes will not be required classes and should not impede students’ education, he said.
The College of Engineering is also planning on not refilling certain teaching positions left open by layoffs and retirement, and will be asking the remaining professors to take on extra responsibilities, he said.
“Whether you’re a company or a university, when you go through down times everybody has to step up,” Hinton said.
But overall Hinton said his students shouldn’t feel too much pain. The U.S. has put an emphasis on engineering education and continues to promote programs around the nation. In fact, the Utah Legislature recently approved an engineering initiative which will put serveral million dollars of one-time funds into engineering programs, a chunk of money Hinton said USU will see.
–greg.boyles@aggiemail.usu.edu