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University expects less cash next year By Tony Boom For The Tidings Southern Oregon University expects $1 million less in state support in the coming fiscal year, although the general budget will decline by only $195,000 to $35.5 million. Double-digit increases in student tuition, bigger assessments for non-academic operations and positions left unfilled will help make up the difference. Undergraduate resident students will see tuition and fees increase 16 percent from $1,185 in the fall of 2002 to $1,371 this fall. While school officials have no firm idea on how much the Legislature will allocate, they are using a "worst case" figure. "We are basing our planning on the co-chair's budget," said Ron Bolstad, vice president of administration and finance. A product of the House and Senate leadership, the co- chair's budget for higher education in the 2003-05 biennium is $30 million less than that proposed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski. SOU has seen a steady erosion in state support since 2000-01 when it received $19.44 million. Legislative cuts reduced the figure to $18.37 million the following year, and $16.95 million in the current fiscal year. Estimated support for next year is $15.9 million. A total of 14 faculty members are retiring in the current year, said Bolstad. Support staff retirements will be close to that number. Many are leaving before legislative changes in the PERS program reduce their future benefits. While retirements allow the institution to cut payroll, SOU has temporarily backed away from a proposed reorganization of its academic structure. Proposed by President Elisabeth Zinser in January, the move would have consolidated four schools into three colleges and eliminated one dean's position. Faculty members were critical of the proposal, saying they were not included in the decision-making process. "I determined that there wasn't a strong reaction for that," said Zinser. "But I don't think everybody views it as a dead issue." Zinser wants new Provost Earl Potter, who assumes the top academic post in July, to have a chance to shape any future realignment. Non-academic positions to be cut in the coming year include the vice president of communication and research, and the directors of the Southern Oregon Regional Services Institute, International Programs and Multi-Cultural Affairs. SOU has not eliminated any tenured professor positions, but part-time teacher numbers have been reduced. SOU's School of Science has reduced classes taught by part-time instructors and will probably not be able to offer replacement classes for professors on sabbaticals next year, said Joe Graf, Joe Graf. "We're seeing a lot of classes fill up earlier," said Graf. "Students are especially locking in synthesis classes," an upper division requirement for graduation. But the schools will work with students to make sure they can graduate on schedule even if a class isn't available, Graf said. Besides reductions in positions and fewer classes, budgets have been cut for supplies, services and overtime pay. There will be fewer student jobs, as well as cuts in computer and telecommunications services and library purchases. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -