November 15, 2005
Dear Colleagues,
The FY 2005/06 State Operating budget is still undergoing change and as a result, ULM's exact state funding reduction is still unknown. The Legislature is currently in special session discussing a number of issues including the State's revenue shortfall, and the possibility exists that it will convene again in January to address budget issues if the economic condition is still uncertain.
Dr. Clausen called a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors for Wednesday, November 16th, to discuss the recent activities affecting postsecondary education and the possible impact on our future. This meeting is in anticipation of Dr. Savioe's presentation to the Division of Administration on November 17th or 18th on the initial response of higher education to the budget cuts. I expect to receive additional information at this meeting concerning the amount of ULM's budget adjustment.
I want to assure you we are working both on the administrative level and with faculty, staff and students through committees, to make this process as efficient as possible. We will support changes that are the most cost effective and least disruptive for this institution. Above all we are committed to preserving the high standards of our students' educational experiences and retaining our quality faculty and staff.
As you will remember, we decided to begin to address the situation several weeks ago when we appointed several working committees. Currently, the colleges have a team of faculty members working with their deans examining a number of options. In addition, we established a benchmarking committee, headed by Associate Provost Eric Pani; and an administrative budget planning committee, headed by Dave Nicklas, Vice President for Business Affairs. These committees are trying to find ways for ULM to apply our limited funding resources in the most cost effective and least disruptive manner possible. They are now meeting regularly, and will report back their short-term findings before the University closes for the Thanksgiving holiday.
One immediate step we are implementing for the spring semester is the adoption of a 4.5-day week for all university employees and functions. Beginning Jan. 2, 2006, all university employees will be asked to adjust their schedules to a 40-hour workweek Monday-Thursday and a half day Friday. No salary adjustments will be made due to this change.
Coordinating with their supervisors, employees will work 9 hours each day Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and any four hours on Friday between 7:30 and 12 noon. Lights and power to the academic buildings will be turned off from 1:00 p.m. on Friday until 7:00 a.m. on Monday. Dr. Richters and the deans are working on class schedules, accommodations for night and weekend classes, research, and Library hours.
Department heads will be charged with making sure all offices are open and covered during the revised workday. The use of flex-time is strongly encouraged and employees should be afforded maximum flexibility as we adjust to this new schedule.
By adjusting the university schedule, we expect to see a savings of over $20,000 per month in utilities costs. In anticipation of continuing budget adjustments, we are currently evaluating the summer and fall schedules.
Remember, this is a time for us to work together with great resolve to envision the institution's future development. Every one of us, employees and students, can have a hand in rising to the challenge the hurricanes have brought our state and her institutions of higher learning. With support from everyone, the University of Louisiana at Monroe can weather any storm.
James E. Cofer, Sr.
ULM President