ISU sacrifices some to save others

From: Ames Daily Tribune - Ames,IA,USA - Jun 12, 2004

By Rebecca A. Petersen, Staff Writer

Iowa State University hopes to cut course sections and lay off employees to generate $8.5 million for pay raises and benefits packages for its faculty, staff and union workers.

Iowa State University hopes to cut course sections and lay off employees to generate $8.5 million for pay raises and benefits packages for its faculty, staff and union workers.

Officials want to eliminate 21 positions and 40 half-time graduate assistantships in ISU's budget request to the Iowa Board of Regents. The university also wants to eliminate open positions or switch funding sources for about 100 positions across campus. No faculty members were given pink slips.

"Our most important priorities are our people and making sure we have competitive compensation packages for our faculty and staff," said ISU President Greg Geoffroy.

The cut will free up enough money to give faculty and staff pay raises of between 2 percent and 2.5 percent. Additionally, ISU must honor its merit employees' union contract.

Geoffroy said a university-wide pay freeze for one year "would not be wise."

University officials are asking the regents to approve a general fund budget of $422.5 million, a 1 percent increase from the current year. State dollars make up $227 million of the proposal.

ISU will eliminate 528 course sections and enlarge other courses to make up a small part of the difference. Still, an estimated 8,800 total student seats will be eliminated. Geoffroy said the decision would be partly offset by declining enrollment.

"We are confident there will be sufficient seats available to make progress to their degree," he said.

The regents meet next week in Okoboji and are expected to approve budgets for ISU, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern and the state schools for the deaf and blind.

UI officials are asking for a $7 million increase in its general university fund, which totals $468.5 million but does not include funding for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The university will fund salary increases with budget cuts in other areas including energy, athletics and eliminating bottled water purchases.

UNI's $279.1 million budget includes $78 million in state money. UNI will not cut positions or courses.

Staff writer Rebecca A. Petersen can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 348 or by e-mail at rpetersen@amestrib.com.

A quick take on ISU budget cuts

How much is the university cutting from the 2005 budget?
$8.5 million

What will the money be used for?
Salary increases and benefits packages

What's the impact?
About 21 employees will lose their jobs, and open positions will not be filled

How much is ISU's total budget, with all the auxiliary units such as athletics included?
$933.4 million

How much of the entire budget is tax money?
$227 million

©Ames Tribune 2004