Spring Break
Proposed deficit examined
David Taintor
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: News
Students and university administration convened in the Presidents Room of Davies Center on Monday afternoon for the second Chancellor's Roundtable of the academic year.
Senior Katie Douglass, representing the honors society Mortarboard, opened the discussion by introducing the topic of a potential $3 billion budget deficit discussed by Gov. Jim Doyle.
Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich began by explaining the supposed budget shortfall - saying there is a gap between requested money from various state agencies and the total projected state revenue. He said the projected budget was based on the economic situation before October, and it is still unclear how the financial crisis will affect the Wisconsin budget.
Levin-Stankevich believes the effect of the financial crisis will be lighter on Wisconsin than states such as California, New York or Florida.
"Most people in banking in this state tell me that the state has been very conservative (fiscally), and I believe that," he said.
When there is less state money, the UW System is a discretionary item in the budget, Levin-Stankevich said, and causes a lapse, meaning the university is required to return some of its money in the budget. The lapse for this biennium, or two-year period, is $550,000.
"We've managed to prepare for that centrally in the administration," he said. "We're not going to go to the history department or the chemistry department or student services and say, 'Give us back money.'"
Levin-Stankevich said the administration wants to construct a new academic building near the current campus school that would house the college of education. He added it has been 26 years since a new building has been erected on campus.
Another issue on the agenda was the funding for a new children's center on campus. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Beth Hellwig and Associate Dean of Student Development Jodi Thesing-Ritter led the discussion on the children's center, saying the current facilities are outdated. They said they think it is important to provide a quality, low cost facility to students and university staff.
Senior Katie Douglass, representing the honors society Mortarboard, opened the discussion by introducing the topic of a potential $3 billion budget deficit discussed by Gov. Jim Doyle.
Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich began by explaining the supposed budget shortfall - saying there is a gap between requested money from various state agencies and the total projected state revenue. He said the projected budget was based on the economic situation before October, and it is still unclear how the financial crisis will affect the Wisconsin budget.
Levin-Stankevich believes the effect of the financial crisis will be lighter on Wisconsin than states such as California, New York or Florida.
"Most people in banking in this state tell me that the state has been very conservative (fiscally), and I believe that," he said.
When there is less state money, the UW System is a discretionary item in the budget, Levin-Stankevich said, and causes a lapse, meaning the university is required to return some of its money in the budget. The lapse for this biennium, or two-year period, is $550,000.
"We've managed to prepare for that centrally in the administration," he said. "We're not going to go to the history department or the chemistry department or student services and say, 'Give us back money.'"
Levin-Stankevich said the administration wants to construct a new academic building near the current campus school that would house the college of education. He added it has been 26 years since a new building has been erected on campus.
Another issue on the agenda was the funding for a new children's center on campus. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Beth Hellwig and Associate Dean of Student Development Jodi Thesing-Ritter led the discussion on the children's center, saying the current facilities are outdated. They said they think it is important to provide a quality, low cost facility to students and university staff.
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