Chancellor's Roundtable focuses on budget issues
Renee Rosenow
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: News
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Levin-Stankevich said the university has been assuming there will be a cut in funding during this fiscal year and is planning accordingly.
He said Gov. Jim Doyle has predicted a deficit of around $5.8 billion, but the Wisconsin Taxpayers Association suggests the deficit could be around $2.5 billion.
He said the "cost to continue," or what it would cost to have the same programs as last year, always costs more the next year.
"Even if the governor said there would be no decrease in funding, it would be a cut," he said.
Levin-Stankevich said the university won't know the exact funding impacts until the new legislature takes office and the governor introduces his proposal in January. Right now, the university's only option is to raise tuition, Levin-Stankevich said.
He also said the university is working with $6 million less than what was available to Eau Claire in 2006. Therefore, the university is looking at ways to be more efficient, including keeping faculty positions vacant.
According to a UW System press release, UW System President Kevin P. Reilly is asking chancellors to closely regulate travel. He also announced the System will look at the possibility of adding a three-year baccalaureate degree program at select System
campuses.
Heather Nichols, senior nursing major and a Mortar Board representative, attended the roundtable discussion.
"It is good to see the administration is concerned with student well being and spending the money we do receive on bettering our education," Nichols said.
When the topic of equity, diversity and inclusiveness was brought up, Levin-Stankevich said efforts to diversify the campus have not been entirely successful.
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