October 21, 2005
Dear Colleagues,
In response to Governor Blanco’s Executive Order freezing state spending, Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, is working with the administration to identify an alternative, and less disruptive, fiscal strategy for higher education to deal with the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Dr. Savoie has stressed that while freezes, “. . . may appear prudent and justified . . . they will likely not serve the best-interest of the institution.” The preferred strategy for higher education is to allow the system and institution presidents the flexibility to manage their own budgets to realize needed savings.
I know that each of you is cognizant of the significant fiscal impact the storms have had and will continue to have on our state. We are also aware that the economic effects may be long-term. At a recent meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, Commissioner of Administration LeBlanc suggested that the state could experience a $1.5 billion revenue shortfall this fiscal year. Currently, we do not know what “target” savings amount ULM will be assigned for the rest of this fiscal year if Dr. Savoie’s proposal is approved. Nor do we know the magnitude of the state’s revenue shortfall over the next several years. However, as a forward thinking institution, we need to be prepared.
With the help of Vice Presidents Richters and Nicklas, I assure you that we can make adjustments to the budget that might be required, and we could take that path if this budget reduction were small and short-term. But now is not the time to make less than the best-informed decisions or try to force short-term solutions on what may be a long-term problem. I am asking the university to come together and begin to look at the institution in a critical and constructive manner. We are planning for the faculty, staff, students, and administration to work together to examine administrative, academic, and athletic activities in light of these new developments; to develop institutional priorities; and to suggest short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term strategies that best address our strategic initiatives in the face of reduced resources.
Over the next few days, I will appoint a steering committee. In addition, I will ask the vice presidents and deans to appoint collegiate and administrative working committees comprised of faculty, staff, and students to begin this process. It is the objective of this administration to ensure faculty and staff discussion and input to the college and steering committees. In the beginning, we may have to move quickly to address the immediate issues, but I expect these committees to continue their work throughout this fiscal year, and into the next.
I am asking everyone to join me as we, the University of Louisiana at Monroe family, take an honest and in-depth look at what we do and how well we perform our functions. I know that you will have concerns, and I ask that you address those concerns through the committees. Our only agenda should be to examine how to best re-position our institution for the future in the face of the unfortunate and unprecedented events affecting our state.
James E. Cofer, Sr.
ULM President