by Kelly Pottinger
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Perry said plans should "represent the most prudent, efficient reductions and minimize impact on direct services, while achieving the required reduction... reducing direct services should be your last option."

In an e-mail sent to faculty Jan. 30, President William Staples said that expected total budget reduction for UH-Clear Lake will be around $2,163,867.

Some of the budget cutting options being considered are: reducing the number of summer classes offered, tuition and fee increases, a hiring freeze, a freeze on all travel, eliminating capital purchases and reducing administrative costs for the remainder of 2003.

"Our first priority will be to continue to serve the needs of our students," Staples said. "At the same time, we will strive to minimize the impact on our current employees and would only consider layoffs as a last resort."

The Faculty Senate Executive Committee calls on "UH-Clear Lake Deans and Staples to exert leadership in responding appropriately to Governor Perry's request for budget cuts in services which are non-essential... we oppose in the strongest terms any cuts to these essential services. This includes summer school and faculty lines (including searches [for new faculty.])...such instructional cuts would also diminish our revenue generating operations, which is self-defeating."

Staples expects to submit a proposed budget to the UH System Chancellor Arthur Smith this week.

"Within the next two to three weeks, decisions will be made with regard to which searches will go forward now as well as which searches will be deferred until we know what our budget will be for the 2003-2005 biennium," Staples said.

The UH System must have the proposals for budget reductions submitted to the state of Texas by Feb. 6. The Senate Finance Committee will begin hearings Feb. 10 with state agencies regarding their budgets for the next biennium.

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