Budget woes continue for Humboldt State University

Eureka Reporter 3/2/07

By Courtney Hunt-Munther

Three hours of discussion regarding Humboldt State University’s budget ended on Friday with significant progress made.

The University Budget Committee, which was recently commissioned by HSU President Rollin Richmond to find an extra $5 million in this year’s budget, analyzed where cuts need to be made and continued discussions as to whether or not an increase in student fees is necessary.

After last week’s meeting ended with no consensus reached as to how to approach the reductions, committee members were asked to complete an exercise designed to foster critical thinking about the matter.

At the meeting Friday afternoon, HSU Provost Richard Vrem proposed two situations — one including a student fee hike and one excluding it.

Committee members expressed frustration over the time constraint and seemingly impossible task set before them, but eventually managed to settle down and begin piecing apart Vrem’s proposals.

“I share the obvious frustration in the room,” Vrem said. “We could decide to punt — we could decide not to make a decision. But this is an opportunity for the campus to provide a recommendation for the president.”

With a student fee totaling $1.5 million, cuts to the tune of $3.5 million are necessary across the board. If the committee chooses this option, the following reductions will be recommended: $38,000 from the Presidents’ Unit, $75,000 from University Advancement, $211,000 from Student Affairs, $351,000 from Administrative Affairs and $1,379,000 from Academic Affairs.

If the committee decides against increasing student fees, higher percentages of reductions in each division will be made.

“What we have been asked to do is prune a tree,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Steve Butler. “The tree must stand, the tree must be fruitful, regardless of how we prune it. We’ve been asked to leave this tree … like a lopsided stick.”

In order for the tree to remain fruitful year after year, he added, the university’s fixed costs must be addressed.

HSU’s budget woes came to light just before school resumed in August. Despite a record number of freshmen enrolled for the fall semester, the university failed to meet enrollment projections and was subsequently allocated less funding from the California State University chancellor.

In response, the university kicked into high gear, trying to find ways to cover expenses and looking at how to prevent the problem from happening in the future.

After the University Budget Committee decides where cuts should be made, the committee’s recommendations will be presented to Richmond, who will then make a formal decision about the budget.

The next budget meeting is scheduled for March 9 at 1 p.m. at HSU’s Siemens Hall, Corbett Conference Room.