MTSU could see some layoffs in the near future, when more budget cuts come from the state, the university president said Tuesday.
The current economic crisis has hit the state budget hard. Gov. Phil Bredesen recently projected more cuts in the coming months as sales tax revenues slump and has said the state budget could be much as $800 million short this fiscal year.
At the first of two on-campus forums on Tuesday, McPhee said he expects the university will have to cut $10 million to $12 million dollars from the university budget in the next academic year. These cuts are on top of the university losing more than $6 million in state funding over the summer with another $4 million cut since.
“There are going to be some layoffs. If we have to cut $10, not if, we know we have to cut $10 to $12 million. There are going to be some layoffs,” MTSU President Sidney McPhee said.
McPhee wouldn’t rule out future layoffs of tenured staff, but did assert academics would be protected. McPhee then said a hiring freeze is not under consideration currently.
“There are no sacred cows. I think I’ve given you my commitment on the focusing on academics and taking care of the academic needs but it would be misleading for me to say here today that anything is safe,” McPhee said.
McPhee also announced the creation of strategic work groups, which will hear suggestions from students and faculty on how to eliminate waste, consolidate current resources and generate new funding sources for the future.
“We’re not just looking at cutting and slashing a burning,” McPhee said.
The university will set up a special Web site, where suggestions can be submitted to the work group.
McPhee slated to conduct another forum today to address how the university will deal with current and looming budget cuts.
Also, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission will hold its fall meeting Thursday in Nashville, where it will discuss the financial future of higher education in Tennessee.
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.
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