A Budget Update from President Lois B. DeFleur
As the academic year winds down, I would like to update you on the 2008-09 budget. As I wrote previously, the New York State Legislature passed a budget in April that included a 2.9% reduction in funding for SUNY totaling $38.7 million. We estimate that this will amount to a $1.8 million reduction for Binghamton University. At the same time, the budget included funds to cover negotiated salary increases, inflation on supplies and services, and increases in energy costs.
The Vice Presidents and I have discussed this budget and have made plans to meet this reduction through cuts in each division. As I have said before, we will continue to make faculty hiring and increasing graduate stipends a priority; therefore, these reductions in our state allocated funds will not be applied to the portion of the academic affairs budget that affects instruction.
As you may have read, it is likely that there will be some additional reductions, but details about the nature of these are not clear at this time. Please know that SUNY is still negotiating with the State Division of the Budget to minimize any further cuts to the system. I will continue to keep you informed as new developments arise. In the short term, I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our 2008 graduates with you and our many guests and families.
Lois B. DeFleur, president, Binghamton University, State University of New York
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