Budget picture update


Subject: Budget picture update (4/9/03)


The budget session in Olympia is moving into the critical phase and we are
beginning to get a sense of where the UW stands. Last week the Senate
passed a budget that was considerably worse that Governor Locke's
proposal. The House may issue its version within the week and it is hoped
that it will include more money for Higher Ed.

Despite the uncertainties ahead we may be able to think of the Senate
version as the low estimate. Here is what that would mean.

State appropriation for fiscal 2004 will be about 25 million less than
2003. Tuition increases will make up about about 21 million of that, but
increased costs will drive the budget gap back up to about 24 million.
That figure includes the 6.6 million dollars that would be necessary to
fund the salary plan 2% merit increases for faculty, librarians,
professional staff and TAs/RAs. Without it the deficit would be about 18
million.

Last year the University absorbed a 12 million dollar cut and handled it
by distributing the pain fairly equally across units, most colleges
reducing expenditures by 2%. Reducing expenditures meant reducing faculty,
staff, and TA positions (which was mostly accomplished without lay offs).
More than 35 faculty positions and more than 110 staff positions were
lost.

This year the Senate plan would necessitate a more serious round of
personnel reduction. How the cuts would be distributed will be one of the
toughest decisions.

James Gregory
Chapter President AAUP