University absorbs hit of $1.8 million in mid-year cuts

ULM sustained a $1.8 million cut to its budget in mid-year budget cuts levied by the state in December.

Based on a plan outlined by University President Nick Bruno, the cuts will be absorbed by reducing administration expenses and positions.

“While no budget reduction results in a positive impact on an institution of higher education, [the University’s] plan minimizes the impact to all of our essential services,” Bruno said in an email to employees.

About $400,000 will be saved from vice president positions. The assistant vice president for academic affairs will remain vacant. The special assistant to the president position (formerly held by Don Skelton) will be discontinued. Three other vacant faculty will remain vacant.

The travel budget will be reduced by about $150,000, which is half of the total travel budget.

Operating expenses including utilities and supplies will be cut $810,000. Bruno said “all essential supply needs, labs, clinics, etc. will be met.”

Finally, $500,000 will be cut from capital outlay.

The cuts to ULM are just a fraction of the $50 million total cut to colleges throughout the state. Higher education in Louisiana has been cut $360 million in the past three years.

Cuts to colleges within the University of Louisiana System totaled $17.2 million.

The LSU system suffered a $21 million cut, with $8.1 million being cut from the main campus in Baton Rouge, which was the most of any single university or university system.

Though the Univeristy faired better than most in the recent round of cuts, continual dips in operating money have been seen over the years.

ULM has lost a total of eight percent of its operating budget since 2008. It has also seen a 13 percent reduction in total employees and an eight percent drop in total students during the same time frame.

University officials note they cannot control major factors in the process such as the state budget, the Board of Regents master plan or the shrinking state population. Officials hope to off-set some of the losses with a marketing campaign aimed at increasing enrollment and donations.