Poshard asks SIUE for furlough plan
Rosie Githinji
Issue date: 7/21/10 Section: News
SIU President Glenn Poshard asked the chancellors of SIUE and SIU Carbondale to develop plans for furloughs for the universities by September.
Director of Public Affairs Greg Conroy said there are no plans for furloughs even though Poshard asked the chancellors to study the possibility.
"Dr. Poshard has said all along this could be a possibility," Conroy said.
Dave Gross, SIU executive assistant for Government Affairs, said both campuses will develop a budget and cost saving plan.
"Implementation of those plans depend on the chancellor and budget committees from each campus," Gross said. "The Edwardsville campus is in a better position to delay furlough plans."
Bill Winter, director of Financial Affairs, said the university has not made any plans but they will be developed in August. The plan will be discussed when the university planning and budget council reconvenes in the fall.
"A lot of things are planned through the university planning and budget council," Winter said. "At this point we don't have any numbers developed."
"The question for both campuses is: Can you balance your budget without furlough action?" Gross said.
For Edwardsville the answer is yes, but for Carbondale the answer is most likely no, according to Gross.
"At this point it sounds like the Edwardsville folks are not contemplating furloughs," Gross said.
The universities have a responsibility to look at and develop contingency plans, according to Gross. For SIUE, enrollment numbers are on track and growing, which is helpful in making sure the university will have the money it needs to continue operating for a while longer.
"Generally they [administration] look at the savings that would accrue by not paying the employee on furlough," Gross said. "They [SIUE] are well positioned to weather this economic situation. The more you grow, the more self-sufficient you can be."
There are budget teams that will look at enrollment numbers and tuition payments, among others, to check into how to develop a furlough plan.
"Furlough and layoffs all require a considerable bit of negotiation," Gross said. "Furlough action would necessitate the worst fiscal situation of the state."
SIUC has developed a plan, according to Gross, but the Edwardsville campus is well positioned because they have "tightened their belts" and tuition revenue is growing.
The administration still has to make sure the university can function and take into account the loss of productivity that happens when employees are not there. The university has looked at the numbers and it knows what can be saved with a furlough plan.
Gross also said the furlough plans are not affected by the borrowing measure plan.
"The decision to borrow is a separate decision that deals with the cash flow crunch of the state of Illinois," Gross said.
Director of Public Affairs Greg Conroy said there are no plans for furloughs even though Poshard asked the chancellors to study the possibility.
"Dr. Poshard has said all along this could be a possibility," Conroy said.
Dave Gross, SIU executive assistant for Government Affairs, said both campuses will develop a budget and cost saving plan.
"Implementation of those plans depend on the chancellor and budget committees from each campus," Gross said. "The Edwardsville campus is in a better position to delay furlough plans."
Bill Winter, director of Financial Affairs, said the university has not made any plans but they will be developed in August. The plan will be discussed when the university planning and budget council reconvenes in the fall.
"A lot of things are planned through the university planning and budget council," Winter said. "At this point we don't have any numbers developed."
"The question for both campuses is: Can you balance your budget without furlough action?" Gross said.
For Edwardsville the answer is yes, but for Carbondale the answer is most likely no, according to Gross.
"At this point it sounds like the Edwardsville folks are not contemplating furloughs," Gross said.
The universities have a responsibility to look at and develop contingency plans, according to Gross. For SIUE, enrollment numbers are on track and growing, which is helpful in making sure the university will have the money it needs to continue operating for a while longer.
"Generally they [administration] look at the savings that would accrue by not paying the employee on furlough," Gross said. "They [SIUE] are well positioned to weather this economic situation. The more you grow, the more self-sufficient you can be."
There are budget teams that will look at enrollment numbers and tuition payments, among others, to check into how to develop a furlough plan.
"Furlough and layoffs all require a considerable bit of negotiation," Gross said. "Furlough action would necessitate the worst fiscal situation of the state."
SIUC has developed a plan, according to Gross, but the Edwardsville campus is well positioned because they have "tightened their belts" and tuition revenue is growing.
The administration still has to make sure the university can function and take into account the loss of productivity that happens when employees are not there. The university has looked at the numbers and it knows what can be saved with a furlough plan.
Gross also said the furlough plans are not affected by the borrowing measure plan.
"The decision to borrow is a separate decision that deals with the cash flow crunch of the state of Illinois," Gross said.
Be the first to comment on this story