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State Budget Constraints Impact UWRF

DEC. 1, 2008—Faced with state-wide budget reductions, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls is taking proactive measures to address future challenges.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) recently reported the state is expecting to end the current fiscal year with a $346 million budget deficit. The DOA also projected a $5.4 billion revenue shortfall for the 2009 through 2011 biennium.

Gov. Jim Doyle plans to introduce a budget repair bill to address the deficit in January. The impact on UW-River Falls and other University of Wisconsin System campuses likely will not be known until February, but all campuses have begun to address both the current deficit and revenue shortfall, said UWRF Chancellor Connie Foster.

Actions at UWRF will include:
•Requests to fill open positions will be carefully reviewed and approved by the chancellor; the search for a new chancellor, provost, and dean of the College of Business and Economics will continue.
•Out-of-state travel will be reviewed by department chairs or supervisors based on essential job functions and the availability of cost-effective alternatives.
•New and existing sources of revenue are being explored.

“We are committed to an open and transparent communication and decision-making process that is timely and in the best interest of the university and our students, while maintaining the quality of our education,” Foster said.

While the goal has always been to keep costs down, Foster said, UWRF officials continue to work with key campus groups, including students, staff and faculty, to ensure lines of communication remain open as solutions are sought to address financial constraints.

“We are working to be more effective and efficient to do our part,” Foster said. “Within the last year, we have put in place a budget process linked to our strategic plan, and it will still be our guiding document.”

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Last updated: Saturday, 14-Mar-2009 19:12:48 CDT