Budget Update: Message to the Campus Community

As most of you are well aware, the budget outlook for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and East Stroudsburg University is uncertain and has not yet been finalized. Although the originally proposed cut of approximately 50% for PASSHE now seems unlikely, the reality is that there will still be significant cuts in our budget for the upcoming fiscal year. We already know that we are facing a minimum $2.6 million shortfall due to the loss of the stimulus funds.

Although these have been uncertain and uncomfortable times for our campus community and fellow PASSHE universities, this has also been a time when we have shown our ESU solidarity. One of the most positive aspects of the last few weeks was the success of the PASSHE Advocacy Days in Harrisburg. Our students shared their personal stories with legislators and indicated how such dramatic cuts would affect their continued education choices and future careers. In the past few weeks, ESU and PASSHE have had the tremendous opportunity to place our universities in the spotlight. This has given us the chance to educate our legislators and their constituents on how much our universities contribute to the Commonwealth.

With these unprecedented proposed cuts, our administration continues to look at all possible cost saving measures, as no one knows the final budget until it is signed by the governor. Among the issues being reviewed is the possibility of layoffs. The collective bargaining agreements between PASSHE and several of our unions require various timeframes for notification of this potential action, with which we will comply. As required by Article 29 of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), I have submitted notice to Dr. Nancy VanArsdale, ESU APSCUF President, of this possibility.

As I have stated in previous open forums, I am committed to our faculty and staff job retention. It is important for you to understand that no decisions will be made until we know how much state funding we will receive and that the tuition rate is set by PASSHE’s Board of Governors. This information should be available by the end of June. The focus of all decisions will be based on assuring that our students remain our number one priority. We are committed to continuing to provide a quality educational experience.

We are a remarkable institution with a great complement of faculty, staff and students, and I thank you for all the efforts to keep our University on the positive side of the budget debates. I ask you to continue to contact your state legislators to let them know how important an affordable education is for our students.

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