YSU Budget proposal cuts 27 positions

The plan also freezes salaries of top administrators.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University unveiled a budget restructuring plan that includes the elimination of 27 full-time equivalent positions, all of which are currently vacant.
The cuts are in response to continued reductions in state allocations, the university said today.
The plan, which also calls for freezing the salaries of top administrators and closing two YSU Metro College sites, will plug a $5.5 million projected deficit in the university's 2003-04 fiscal year budget.
"These actions required difficult choices, but they're necessary to balance our budget in these challenging financial times," university President David C. Sweet said. "The funding situation in the state Legislature remains very fluid. If allocations are cut even more than anticipated, further actions could be required."
Sweet noted that university officials' top priorities will be to maintain classroom instruction, continue our successful efforts in enrollment and retention, maintain campus safety and security and avoid employee layoffs.
Key points
According to YSU:
UThe university has lost nearly $4 million in state funding this fiscal year alone, which amounts to nearly 10 percent of the university's state support. In the next fiscal year, YSU projects a $3 million reduction in state funding. Since 1991, YSU's state funding has declined by $2 million. Adjusted for inflation, that's a loss of nearly $17 million in 12 years.
UAll of the 27 FTE positions that will be eliminated are currently vacant. The elimination of those jobs will save $1.3 million.
UEliminated positions include the salaried equivalent of five faculty jobs and a variety of unfilled administrative and staff jobs, including executive director of enrollment services, associate executive director of human resources, director of international admissions, director of media and academic computing, associate director of financial aid and major gifts officer in the development office. Other vacant jobs that will be eliminated include a Web site editor/designer, records management officer, a groundskeeper, a maintenance worker and three secretaries.
UOther budget cuts include: $1.5 million from the university's strategic initiative fund (money set aside for improvements such as upgraded administrative computing systems); and $1.8 million in operating reductions, including telephone costs, supplies, administrative travel, copying and equipment purchases.
Other reductions
The plan also calls for $900,000 in other reductions, including a salary freeze for 26 executive staff administrators, a freeze in the supplemental pay received by 36 department chairpersons and the closing of the YSU Metro College sites at Austintown Plaza and Eastwood Mall.
YSU has 1,160 full-time employees and 905 part-time employees, including 402 full-time and 437 part-time faculty members.