University of Georgia and other state university employees will take 6 furlough days this year, the Board of Regents decided today. This is not unexpected and we had covered it last week. See the Board of Regents press release with lots of information here, and other articles (R&B, ABH).
Other cuts are being looked at, as are increases in student fees. From the press release, a description of the savings and other cuts that could happen:
These two changes – furloughs and health care plans – will generate $43.5 million of the $115 million currently being withheld and are part of the four, six and eight percent reduction plans that will be submitted to OPB. The remaining $71 million of the current $115 million being withheld from the USG will be generated at the institutional level and could include layoffs and new employee furloughs, internal reorganizations, an increased focus on energy conservation and the elimination of low-enrollment programs.
These actions at the system and institutional level will meet the $94 million four percent reduction plan amount.
To reach a six percent reduction level ($134 million) the System will:
* Look to institutions to impose additional furloughs, new layoffs of employees, the elimination of positions and other actions institutions can identify to generate savings.
To reach the eight percent reduction level ($175 million) the System will:
* In the spring semester of 2010 increase the institutional mandatory fee first implemented in January 2009 by $150 at the four research universities and some comprehensive institutions; by $100 at all other comprehensive four-year institutions; and by $75 at the state and two-year colleges. The changes to the mandatory fees will result in a cumulative total of $250, $175, and $125.
* Place a moratorium on other institutional mandatory student fee increases with the exception of public-private venture projects for FY11.
