Additional $16 million cut effects travel, growth

 In reference to the hardships the University must face to alleviate the state budget’s deficit, Towson President Robert Caret began his report to the University Senate Monday by saying, “Up until the last two years we were having a great time [in regard to financial issues].”

The latest update on Maryland’s state budget for the fiscal year will be in debt by close to $2 billion and could be as high as $3 billion, according to Caret.

“The governor and the legislature have been trying to remain in support of higher education and our cuts have been mitigated significantly,” Caret said.

For the University System of Maryland specifically, Caret said they might be looking at $100 million in cuts “if we’re lucky” or as high as $200 million. Caret said $200 million is a worst-case scenario but not unrealistic.

He also estimates that the budget cuts to the USM mean that Towson will specifically take about $16 million in cuts on top of what the University has already taken – some of which are permanent, a lot of which are at one time.

“We are planning to try to get ready for that kind of scenario,” Caret said. The University enrolled only 32 more students than last year, limiting the overall enrollment growth. Enrollment growth is a primary way to alleviate budget cuts. They plan to shoot for no growth next year as well, according to Caret, to give the University a chance to run their current operation and maintain the status quo. A 5 percent tuition increase would give the University about $4 million toward the cuts, according to Caret.

He also said the University is already tightening up on travel, equipment purchases and a series of other things like keeping positions frozen to generate additional funds.

“The better part of the news is that everyone seems to be supportive of the concept of a tuition increase,” Caret said.

The University is allowing very little reasons for faculty travel, as those traveling are only faculty who are giving presentations at meetings.

“We have to hold back someplace and that seems to be the logical place,” Towson Provost Marcia Welsh said. “I would rather not cut anything… I think we’re being as flexible as we can.”

Vice president for administration and finance James Sheehan said these restrictions would save over half a million dollars University- wide.

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