May 2, 2002
Dear Colleagues,
The time has come for all of us to look objectively at where we are, and to work together to devise a budget that will be realistic and will help us to achieve our ultimate goal for ULM: fiscal and academic balance.
There is no "new" money for ULM in the Governor's budget. The increases in the Governor's proposal for ULM include only the mandated civil service and fringe benefit increases, and possibly the funds dedicated to scientific equipment and the library. At the current time, we are estimating that our operating budget will begin the next fiscal year approximately $1.8 million behind where we are this year. The impact of the continued decline in enrollment that we are projecting will result in fewer dollars to work with in the coming year. All of you are aware of how tight things have been this year, so you understand the challenges we face by operating with even less in the coming year.
Earlier this week, I met with the ULM Administrative Council and presented them with an option for developing the budget for next year. As a first step in what will likely be a two- to three-month, inclusive budgeting process, I have asked the division heads to develop a zero-based budgeting process. The specific charge was to take their budget figures from last year, and through discussions with appropriate department heads, faculty, and staff, to propose the necessary actions to reduce that figure by 10%. I specifically advised them that these reductions must not be made in supplies or travel; these budget categories are already depressed, and are seriously impacting the University's ability to carry out its mission. Instead, I have asked them to look carefully at all programs and positions, and to think imaginatively in terms of developing creative partnerships and, where possible, combining units/responsibilities. In other words, I am asking that all options be considered without reservation as together we tackle this challenge.
Our budget for next year will be very tight, and even as we look at reducing expenditures, we must also look toward reallocating what dollars we do have to fund recruitment and maintenance. Frankly, every one of us associated with ULM should become a partner in the recruiting effort so that we can build back our student body.
The more students we have enrolled, the healthier our budget will become; that's obvious. However, to attract those students back, we must do two things. First, we must focus on improving the physical appearance of the campus and reviving the sense of esprit d'corps that has diminished over the years. This began with last week's "Reclaiming Our Campus" effort, an effort so successful that we plan to have a second faculty, student, and staff day later in the summer. The friendships and camaraderie that developed in the halls were every bit as important as the paint that was applied to the walls.
Concurrent with and integral to the budget process will be the academic strategic planning process - our second step for attracting students. Interim Provost Richters has already begun holding meetings to ensure that the resultant academic strategic plan is faculty-driven and fiscally sound. It is important to me that each of you realize that "we" means all of us working here at ULM, not just the Administration. I promised you that the budget process would be open and inclusive, and that is beginning now. ULM can no longer exist in its present state with our once strong academic programs being slowly starved to death. In brief, "we" are not doing something to the faculty through these actions; instead, "we" are doing something together with the faculty that will move ULM back to the well balanced, fiscally sound institution in which we may all take pride. We must re-invent this University, and we must do so in a deliberate, well-planned fashion. When we have your budget plans and our academic plans in hand we can prioritize our needs and add back to the individual budgets if we are successful in our legislative or recruiting efforts.
The next several months will be difficult ones, but these challenges will be met with a determined, fair-minded spirit. As I said to you in my first address, we must all come to the table to make the hard decisions that are in the best interests of the University even when they may not be in our own personal best interests. This unselfish, Academy-first attitude forms the epicenter of any community of scholars and so it must, and will, at ULM.
I urge you to offer your ideas freely, and to be imaginative and innovative in your approach to the budget. I have neither preconceived notions nor any agenda, except to keep this institution academically sound and strong. I want your ideas. I want you to use your imagination and expertise in academic matters. Many excellent proposals have already come forward from faculty, which we are taking under serious consideration. Some involve combining programs and/or departments; others concern establishing creative partnerships designed to help us meet specific marketplace demands. Specifically, Dr. Richters and the Deans from Liberal Arts and Pure and Applied Science have been working with the faculty to put those two Colleges together. We do that so that we may then develop a strong, academically driven common core curriculum.
No one of us has all of the answers; however, together we can generate ideas and find solutions that have never even been imagined before. These admittedly difficult times can also be among the most exciting times that the University has seen. I ask you to work with us and be a part of the process.
James E. Cofer, Sr.
ULM President