A more detailed but "very preliminary" 2009-10 Portland State budget was presented to the campus community at two meetings last week. Decisions from the governor and the Oregon Legislature will continue to affect it, said Provost Roy Koch and Finance Vice President Lindsay Desrochers. In addition, economic circumstances may require modifications throughout next budget year.
The University's preliminary budget is based on a 22 percent reduction in state appropriation. Proposed recommendations include a 4.6 percent reduction in either salaries, FTE, or furlough days. Koch and Desrochers presented detailed cuts of $1.86 million for academic units and $4 million for administration and support as proposed by unit deans and directors. Sixty-eight positions may be eliminated or as many as 108 if the 4.6 percent salary reduction is not taken. The position eliminations include 42 filled, full-time positions, or 55 in the more severe plan.
The preliminary budget also includes a 13 percent increase in resident undergraduate tuition and a 10 percent increase for all other groups. This and proposed differential tuitions for several programs are "very much up in the air," said Desrochers. Tuition decisions require Oregon University System approval and consideration by the legislature.
