Beshear called for the reductions because of a critical shortage in state revenues, which combined with state spending to create a $424 million shortfall in the current budget. The state also projects a gap of $525 million for the first year of the 2008-10 biennium.
President Whitlock stated,
"Eastern Kentucky University will meet its current year base reduction in the following manner:Whitlock also stated that the manner in which these targets are met will be decided "within the cabinet level operational units," and that required personnel savings might be accomplished through normal attrition.
Base budget funding for deferred maintenance $1,000,000
Recurring contingency 500,000
President’s new initiatives fund 250,000
Personnel and operating budgets 622,800
Total $2,392,800"
He cautioned that,
Since these reductions will be to our recurring base, it is important that these decisions be made strategically and in such ways as to protect the quality of the programs and services we provide to our students. Their best interests and success must remain foremost in our thinking.
At the same time we are implementing these cuts, we must, as a community, turn our attention to positioning ourselves for the next biennium. We will begin to do this with some conversations which I hope to begin having as early as next week. My commitment is to have Eastern as well prepared as possible for whatever eventuality we may face.
Whitlock called for understanding and encouraged the campus community to refrain from undue negativism about the circumstances. "This is not the first time the Commonwealth has faced a budgetary problem," he said, while committing to keep the campus fully informed as the situation progresses.
SOURCE: Whitlock E-mail
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