‘Deficit continues to be a moving target’
In a post on her website on April 2, USM President Selma Botman said that next year’s $4.3 million deficit will continue to shift, pending enrollment, state appropriations, and “other variables that may increase our costs.”
Funding to the library will not be cut next year, and financial aid will be increased, a move she calls “strategic” on the university’s part. Research projects will be funded at current levels, she said.
University administration are currently looking to make up for the deficit by making cuts to base budgets; one-time cuts that will realize greater long term savings, according to Botman.
“It is too early in the budget process to speculate about specifics. Until all of the schools, colleges and units have submitted their proposals for meeting the targets… I do not yet have any reliable information about what these reductions will entail for USM,” she said.
Botman expects to share the final budget decisions with the public in early May.
New draft of strategic plan released
The third draft of USM’s strategic restructuring plan is now available for public viewing.
The newest draft takes into account recommendations offered by faculty, staff, students, and members of the general public.
The plan can be found online at http://www.usm.maine.edu/spp/.
Task Force postpones report
Botman announced on her website last Thursday that the “white paper” report outlining the UMaine task force’s recommendations for the Univeristy of Maine will be released on August 28, at the opening breakfast of the new academic year.
“Classes are nearing conclusion and finals loom this spring. I fear that many of you would not be able to devote sufficient time or energy to think through carefully the scenarios presented by the Task Force. Additionally, the white paper is not yet complete,” Botman said.