TTU president describes budget realities to campus community
As students around the country plan protests and marches to speak out about funding cuts on public college campuses today, Tennessee Tech University marked the day with an open forum to discuss the budget situation here.
TTU President Bob Bell was invited by the American Association of University Professors campus chapter to participate in a question-and-answer meeting about the budget situation this spring. Bell offered, and the AAUP agreed, to open the session to the entire campus.
“This forum provides a chance for the campus administration to reach out to as many faculty as possible with the latest information regarding the budget, possible layoffs and other related matters,” said local AAUP President Andy Smith. “Hopefully for all of us, it aids in openness and transparency during what are obviously tough times.“
The campus is preparing for at least another 6 percent reduction and most likely more as the legislature debates Gov. Phil Bredesen’s proposed budget.
The 6 percent cut recommended by Bredesen would result in total state appropriation reductions of more than 30 percent since 2008 alone, a dramatic drop that has been temporarily offset with stimulus funding and maintenance of effort support from the state. That funding will disappear by the end of next fiscal year. The most recent reductions must take place by July 1 of this year, however.
“Campus units must consider how to make reductions while continuing to operate effectively,” said Bell before the forum. “For some units, that may include eliminating some personnel.
“Given the number of cuts over the last two years and recognizing the severity of these new reductions, the university will most likely have to consider a reduction in force.”
A reduction in force would constitute a strategic elimination of positions, either vacant or filled, as identified by operating units across the campus as a way to address deep budget cuts. Campus officials are evaluating policies at the Tennessee Board of Regents and how they apply to TTU. However, no plan has been developed at this point, and nothing has been approved yet.
“Our primary goal is to continue providing the excellent educational value that our students expect,” Bell said. “They come to TTU to learn from exceptional faculty and to earn a degree that will prepare them for success. Our commitment to that goal will not waver.”
Departments across the campus are already working on possible scenarios for budget reductions, including proposals for the possibility of either a 6-percent or 9-percent cut.
One of the most visible cuts already in the works is the elimination of the Industrial and Systems Engineering academic program within the College of Engineering.
Reduction scenarios are being considered and discussed in the university’s joint Strategic Planning and Budget Committee, the Executive Advisory Committee and the Academic Affairs councils. If and when a plan for any reduction in force is developed, any affected personnel will be notified directly, Bell stressed.
