by Alicia Sharp
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

UH-Clear Lake is required to reduce its FY03 budget by $2,163,867. The budget reduction falls six months into the 2002-03 fiscal year. Staples' expects an electronic transfer of $2.1 million by the state in the next few weeks.

Staples asked each component of UH-Clear Lake's four schools and administrative offices to submit proposals on how the university will meet the requested $2.1 million.

During the budget cut meeting, Staples supplied a handout detailing the budget reduction plan for FY03. Four sections detailed the total reduction costs of each department. The president's office shows a total of 8.5 percent in reductions. Academic Administration shows a total of 4.21 percent. Administration and Finance shows a total of 9.77 percent, while other university costs make up the balance of the budget.

The budget reduction plan for FY03 can be viewed online at www.cl.uh.edu/UHCLIDIAN.

Impacts on summer school, travel, filling vacant positions, and possible wage cuts were areas Staples directed his attention toward during the meeting.

Staples reported he would not consider layoffs, wage cuts, or fewer than 80 percent of summer class offerings. These exemptions will only be effective through August 2003. Staples said after August there could be severe cuts in the next biennium's budget depending on the outcome of this year's legislative session.

Twenty-five "searches" or job openings are on hold; five have been completely eliminated. Out-of-state travel has been suspended to help relieve budget costs. Classes have been cut by 19 percent for summer 2003.

"I encourage students that will be taking summer school to enroll early," Staples said.

"It's going to be a ripple effect... more competition for classes; therefore, harder to get into classes," said Grady Perdue, associate professor of business and public administration. "There will be permanent long-term repercussions."

Several factors helped determine which classes would be cut for summer.

"HSH went with classes that were larger rather than smaller, with classes that could be cross listed, with classes that were substituted more easily for other classes," said Bruce Palmer, dean of human science and humanities.

Summer class cuts are the top concern for the majority of students and faculty.

"The cutting of classes is the single most issue I hear from students," said Jeff Petry, president of student government association.

International students have voiced concerns about future class cuts. They fear these cuts will interfere with their course load requirement. The Immigration and Naturalization Service requires international students to maintain a full schedule during the fall and spring semesters; however, they are not required to take classes during summer session.

"It's an optional period," said Kathryn Dickerson, international student adviser.

During summer session full-time faculty will get one-twelfth of their normal nine-month salary for teaching one course. For a second course, full-time faculty will get one-twelfth of their nine-month salary, capping off at $3,500.

"Faculty already believe they are subsidizing summer school by having less than full salaries," said Shirley Paolini, president of the Council of Professors, in an e-mail to Staples. "Many faculty have financial commitments which hinge upon teaching a set number of summer school courses."

UH-Clear Lake's funds are held in separate ledgers. Ledger one represents the university's state appropriations, which makes up approximately 40 percent of the budget. The other ledgers represent tuition, fees, grants and donations. These ledgers make up approximately 60 percent of the budget.

The $2,163,867 in FY03 reductions was taken from ledger one because it is the ledger that contains funds from the state. Many faculty members question whether money could have been shifted from other ledgers to help fulfill the reduction gap.

The budget cuts follow Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn's announcement that the state's revenue shortfall is higher than previously stated. The amount rose from $5.1 billion to $9.9 billion for the next biennium; however, Texas Legislature estimates the shortfall may be even higher, falling somewhere between $10.4 billion and $10.5 billion.

"Really the number is not $9.9 or $10.4, it is larger," Staples said.

"We are currently working on plans for the next biennium," said Jean Carr, director of the budget office. "We have submitted a subsequent 2004-2005 appropriations request. Keep in mind that this session has just begun and we won't know our final appropriation until June. There will be several different scenarios in the works between now and then."

Revenue predictions for the next biennium estimate a budget cut between 10 and 16 percent. The Houston Chronicle said the state is already asking for a 14.4 percent cut from the University of Houston System. According to Staples that number reflects an equivalent of "$4.7 million per year for this university."

UH-Clear Lake has experienced budget cuts in the past. In 1986 and 1991 critical reductions were made in the university's operations.

"I lived through 1986 and 1991," said Resa Ott, director of alumni and community relations. "It's important to maintain morale. When there are downturns in the economy, people go back to school. We want them to come here."

Faculty members have asked Staples for more involvement in future budget cut plans.

The Faculty Senate Committee passed a resolution requesting that faculty members have input on budget cuts for the next biennium through the Instructional Allocation Task Force.

"We suggest that the university protect the academic budget and make cuts in other areas first," Paolini said. "A hiring freeze in other sectors of the university would be helpful. Maintenance should be deferred. Non-academic programs in student services should be considered for cuts. Within the administration appropriate cuts can be made."

The next biennium's budget is expected from the Texas State Legislature May 31. The decision can be postponed until August if they go into special session.

"There is a great deal of uncertainty, so if you feel uncertain then join the group," Staples said. "I feel very uncertain."

Students are urged to write their state representatives. "Their voices will be heard more loudly," Staples said.

Staples will be addressing the budget cut issues during the SGA meeting Feb. 18 in Atrium II of the Bayou Building at 11:30 a.m.

                                                        View the budget reduction plan for FY03

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