Grambling State University, along with other public higher education institutions, was notified that Governor Bobby Jindal had imposed a Mid-Year budget cut.
Governor Jindal had delivered the commencement speech for GSU graduates in spring 2009 on May 16. Jindal did not receive a support of praise from the parents, students, graduates or administration during or after his speech. In 2009 Jindal hag been criticized for turning down federal stimulus money in the face of looming budget cuts for the state. The governor had proposed a $141 million budget cut from K-12 schools, and $219 million budget cut from higher education. These actions forced the University of Louisiana System to impose cuts on all of its universities, including almost $5 million from Grambling State.
Now in 2012, it is difficult to do, especially given the recent drastic cuts, the university’s planning process and the prior work of the university’s Budget and Priorities Committee made it possible to respond to the mandate.
“These frequent budget reductions will continue to make it extremely difficult for the university to plan for its future,” said Dr. Frank Pogue, University President. “It seems that cuts to higher education will continue, and although very harmful decisions are being made, we will continue to restructure the university to ensure that our mission is protected and that our students continue to have access to excellent educational experiences.” As we have discussed far too many times, the State of Louisiana’s budget continues to decline. As you have read, the mid-year budget reduction for higher education is $50 million, of which $17,175,883 represents the University of Louisiana System’s share of the reductions. Grambling State University’s mid-year cut is $943,729. Utilizing the university’s established planning process and budget reduction strategies previously developed by the university’s Budget and Priorities Committee enabled the university to submit its Mid-Year Reduction Plan.
The reduction of funds will affect the following categories:
Salaries & Related Benefits: Eight unfilled vacancies will remain unfilled.
Professional Services: Settlement payment for the Spears’ lawsuit will be impacted.
Reduction in Scholarships/Waivers: Student out-of-state fee waivers will be reduced.
These current mid-year cuts, after previous drastic cuts, will continue to make it harder to plan. As done in previous years and will continue to do so in the future, they will work together to get back to the university in order to protect the mission and ensure that students will receive an excellent education in a wholesome and supportive academic environment.
As we welcome the New Year, Grambling State University will continue to focus on those special institutional qualities and practices that have made it uniquely great.
