As Utah college students head back to their classrooms for the start of their 2010 studies, higher education officials are working behind the scenes to absorb state budget cuts that some privately describe as being "dumped in their laps" at the end of last year.
The statewide cuts are part of Gov. Gary Herbert's plan, announced Dec. 11, to trim $700 million from the current and upcoming state budget.
Higher education's portion of that budget plan was $19 million of red ink to be erased this year, and Northern Utah institutions are reporting layoffs, pay reductions and other cuts to make up the gap.
For example, Weber State University officials were told by state budget cutters they had to unexpectedly trim $1.8 million dollars.
Weber State officials said Monday they were trying to identify possible cuts, including reducing their staff. WSU currently has about 1,100 staff members.
"We are working through the process with our vice presidents. This will certainly have an impact on our classes," said John Kowalewski, a WSU spokesman. "We are offering an additional voluntary severance package to our staff. And we are continuing to look for other places to take one-time cuts."
In Logan, Utah State University officials have more than $4 million they will lose from the state.
USU President Stan Albrecht told faculty and staff in an e-mail delivered Tuesday that he would tap into reserve accounts, reconfigure investments and make a one-time pay reduction for some employees.
"We believe that we have identified a way to address the current reduction without resorting to furloughs for the vast majority of our campus community," wrote Albrecht in the e-mail.
At Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, President Collette Mercier said they lost nearly $1 million, which will force them to layoff staff, cut secondary services and make salary reductions.
"This cuts deep," said Mercier, whose institution serves about 10,000 students a year.
At Davis Applied Technology College, President Michael Bouwhuis said they instituted a hiring freeze while they figure out the ramifications of the reduction in state dollars.
Utah State Board of Regents Chairman Jed Pitcher and Vice Chairwoman Bonnie Jean Beesley released a statement after the plan was announced regarding state budget changes for Utah's public colleges and universities.
"Needless to say, even a one-time cut is difficult on top of the other cuts already imposed and in the face of record enrollment growth and we are concerned that quality is beginning to be negatively affected," the board leaders wrote.
But higher education officials also were publicly grateful the governor had made a commitment to maintaining the education budget in the next two-year cycle by continuing a steady flow of dollars.
Utah Commissioner of Higher Education William Sederburg wrote at year's end that he thought despite the "drastic" cuts, the cost of classes was still affordable for students.
"We will continue working with business leaders to align our institutions to economic priorities. We hope to maintain a high level of efficient services to students," wrote Sederburg.
Gov. Herbert talked about his budget Monday to a crowd in Kaysville, where he had been asked to give the oath of office to Steve Hiatt, the new mayor.
Herbert said afterward his plan was on track to be in the black.
"I don't think any adjustment will need to be made right now. The numbers we used were solid," Herbert said.
The governor notes that new revenue numbers due in February would show how on track their budget estimates are at making the red ink go away.
State lawmakers will have a say in the governor's 2010-11 proposal when they open the yearly legislative session later this month and decide what to do with the Herbert suggestions.
But the institutions of higher education in Utah, along with most state departments under Hebert's direct control, have until summer, the fiscal year end, to institute their immediate budget reduction.
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