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SOU budget cuts could force layoffs Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Southern Oregon University junior Nydia Zukaitia, left, and freshman Bridgette Cuffe hit the books in comfort Monday between classes in the Stevenson Union's lounge area at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Bleak state revenue forecasts could require Southern Oregon University to slash its budget as much as $4 million over two years, forcing school officials to consider the possibility of layoffs. In a worst-case scenario, the university is preparing for revenue losses during the current biennial budget of up to 10 percent, which could be extended into the 2003-2005 fiscal years. Extension center cuts even higher CENTRAL POINT - Oregon State University's Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center has been earmarked for even higher budget reductions than those at the state's seven universities. Oregon University System spokesman Bob Bruce said extension centers and research laboratories throughout the state face cuts as high as 17 percent as the state looks for ways to reduce costs. The Central Point facility, on Hanley Road, is one of 39 extended campus locations in Oregon. Bruce said minimum cuts under the proposed reduction plan for the universities is 2 percent, but extension centers face minimum cuts of 5 percent. The Central Point center features an extension unit with 12 offices, other rooms and demonstrations gardens. It also has a research unit with eight offices, a technology laboratory and other laboratories for research scientists. No one from the center could be reached for comment regarding the proposed cuts. SOU officials are preparing budget reduction plans ranging from 2 to 10 percent as Gov. John Kitzhaber warns all agencies that a worsening state economy could result in overall revenue losses of up to $1 billion. For the entire university system, this translates into budget reductions from the 2001-2003 biennial budget of as little as $16.7 million and as much as $80.9 million. "In some ways these cuts would be more difficult than Measure 5," said Oregon University System spokesman Bob Bruce. He cited the rapidity with which universities would be hit by the reductions this time, compared to the 1990 property tax initiative, which was phased in over five years. Universities were just beginning to rebound after the 1999 Legislature gave higher education a fiscal boost that allowed schools to build back programs. Bruce said these modest gains would be undercut depending on the severity of the reductions. Worse, class offerings will have to be reduced if budget cuts of 4 percent or more are required, he said. This could force some students to delay graduation because they wouldn't be able to take a particular course at a particular time. More severe cutbacks would also force librarians to hold off buying books. If reductions are only 2 percent, the internship program that allows students to work in a business or industry for credit will still be lost, said Bruce. Also, an exchange program that allows students to go to other states would be cut by 30 percent. Despite these losses, universities are attempting to protect classroom instruction as much as possible by targeting other areas, said Bruce. "Administration and non-instructional areas would feel the brunt of the reductions," he said. Non-instructional areas include academic advisers, bookkeepers and other support staff. Based on earlier revenue projections, SOU last month cut its biennial budget from $39.7 million to $38.9 million but made up the difference by dipping into contingency funds. Before the school had a chance to fully absorb the impact of this reduction, said Ron Bolstad, SOU vice president of administration and finance, it was told to prepare to temporarily cut administrative expenses between 2 percent and 10 percent. Administration amounts to roughly $4 million of the total biennial budget. But the latest reduction plan is meant to find permanent ways of reducing the overall budget from 2 percent to 10 percent at all campuses. This constantly moving fiscal target has caused some frustration among Bolstad and his administrators. "Those who work with this are confused," he said. "We are constantly having to clarify which of the reduction plans we have to work through." SOU is already telling administrators to hold off on the purchase of goods and services, such as computers and equipment. Vacant positions may be left unfilled, and Bolstad said travel also will be cut back. "We may attend state meetings by teleconferencing," he said. SOU has not estimated how many positions may be left vacant, or how many layoffs could be expected, said Bolstad. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.