KU News Release

‘Challenging’ budget situation discussed at KU faculty, staff forum

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway today told 125 faculty and staff attending a budget forum that economies and cooperation universitywide will be necessary to protect academic and research functions in the face of a projected $8.4 million cut in state funding this year and an anticipated $19.2 million cut next fiscal year.

“We’ve relied on faculty and staff across the university to step up and help out when positions have not been filled,” Hemenway said. “These cuts do create challenges and it will force painful decisions, but KU will endure. I have every confidence in the men and women of this university and their ability to maintain the quality of our institution.”

KU earlier this week reported more reductions to absorb its share of a projected 3 percent cut in the university’s state general fund appropriation for the current 2009 budget and a projected 7 percent cut for coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.

For the Lawrence campus, this has meant laying off 11 employees (effective June 30), cutting 110 vacant positions, delaying hires and trimming funds for student jobs. The KU Medical Center put in place a 90-day-hiring delay earlier in the budget year and has continued to hold some positions vacant.

Cuts to operating budgets include reducing budgets for travel, office equipment and supplies, repairs and technology; cutting hours at the Spencer Museum of Art and Natural History Museum; turning down thermostats and instituting other energy efficiencies; eliminating printing budgets; and using the Internet to distribute information.

Faculty and staff at the KU Medical Center, Edwards Campus and School of Medicine branch in Wichita observed the forum online. Hemenway and several other KU officials answered questions from employees attending in person as well as several e-mailed from across the campuses.

A video of the forum will be posted online on KU’s YouTube channel.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.