FY09 Budget Reductions Announced
Dear Colleagues:
Today, Governor Kaine announced his decisions for reductions to the FY09 budget. These reductions are necessary due to the sharp decline in state revenue collections.
Last month, Governor Kaine instructed all state agencies, including colleges and universities, to submit budget reduction plans for 5 percent, 10 percent and 15 percent budget cuts. I communicated to you on several occasions how these plans for Old Dominion would be developed. We submitted our plans on September 26.
Governor Kaine has announced that our budget reduction for FY09 is 5 percent, or $5.6 million. This cut acknowledges Old Dominion's underfunding and recent enrollment growth. Budget cuts for all higher education institutions range from 5 percent to 7 percent, and the Governor announced today that December pay raises will be delayed.
Our final budget reduction plan will go to the Board of Visitors for its consideration and approval before it is submitted to Richmond. At this point, we have not been advised of the date the plan is due.
The reductions will be felt throughout the University, but the impact will be focused predominantly upon the elimination of currently vacant positions and selective reductions in other operating funds. Once we have finalized our plan, I will share with you our decisions, as well as any timelines related to implementing these reductions. I also must point out that all state agencies, including Old Dominion, will face significant cuts again in the 2010 budget.
We have notified our Northern Virginia Higher Education Center (NVHEC) staff that we will be closing the center in June 2009. The staff will move quickly to inform the students and develop teach-out plans for them, as required by SCHEV and SACS. The Office of Distance Learning will coordinate associated details with the academic and student support offices, as well as the appropriate external entities. We will support the students' degree completion plans through alternatives to site-based instruction in Northern Virginia, including videostream and online course connectivity. I am grateful to those faculty members who will play a key role in extending degree completion opportunities to the students impacted by the closure.
I am certain that you have been following the news about both the Commonwealth's and the nation's economic issues, and recognize the seriousness of the situation. I would like to acknowledge Governor Kaine, his cabinet and our state legislators for working with us during this challenging period. These are difficult times and we all will be impacted on the job and in our personal lives. I assure you that Old Dominion University will do its best to address these conditions and sustain its current successes and momentum. I ask for your support and understanding.
Sincerely yours,
John R. Broderick
Acting President