Higher education spared from massive cuts

Reductions come in below original predictions

Legislators have reached a deal that would spare KU and other state universities from feared double-digit budget cuts.

Under the terms of the budget passed last week, in fiscal year 2010 Kansas Board of Regents institutions would see just over a 7 percent reduction in operating funding from the original FY 2009 budget. Since some previous budget proposals called for a 12.7 percent cut to higher education, this agreement was welcomed by KU leaders.

“This is still a budget cut, but compared to what had been on the table it will be much more manageable. This agreement largely preserves our ability to carry out our academic and research missions, which is important because both of those contribute to the overall strength of the Kansas economy,” said Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

“I’m hopeful we will be able to implement this cut through the measures we’ve already taken, such as elimination of certain filled and unfilled positions, identification of new efficiencies and other belt-tightening moves,” he said.

KU already has implemented a 4.25 percent cut in the current budget year.

Because some funding is coming from the federal stimulus package, which sets out certain restrictions for the use of the funds, some details remain to be worked out. For example, it is still unclear exactly how much money will be required to be devoted to deferred maintenance.

Still looming is the April consensus revenue estimate, which will provide an updated picture of the state’s finances and could spur additional state budget cuts.