Dec. 8, 2008

Budget message from Dr. Pastides

To All Carolina Students:

This fall, I have provided you with updates on the difficult budget situation facing our University, and I indicated that we would report frequently to you on actions taken to manage the state funding cuts. In this letter, I outline the strong measures that the USC system must take to manage the financial crisis.

I will address our approach and decisions in more detail at a town hall meeting with the University community at 4 p.m. Dec. 12 in the Law School Auditorium on the Columbia campus. That meeting also will be streamed live to every campus, so I hope you will attend or watch the video. More detailed information on the streaming video will be posted at http://www.sc.edu. In the meantime, I am writing to let you know where we are in the process and what decisions have been made thus far. You can also get additional information by going to http://www.sc.edu/budget for "frequently asked questions" about the budget.

I begin by summarizing the latest guidance we have received from state government. We have been alerted by the State Budget & Control Board to the possibility of two more cuts in December, as well as additional and deeper cuts after the first of the year.

I have pledged to you and the entire Carolina family that we would seek no mid-year tuition increases, and we have held true to that promise. Moreover, I have told the Board of Trustees that we will not seek their approval next year for tuition increases designed solely to offset our losses from reduced state appropriations. I am acutely aware of the burden that a huge tuition increase would put on you and your family.

Student activity fees have been unfrozen. However, it is critical that these fees be used carefully and with careful evaluation of their educational merit.

Some responses to our strategic process, which is ongoing, are system-wide, and other actions are being taken selectively by schools, colleges, and administrative units on all campuses. These are categorized into four groups:

I. Academic Programming

Some small class sections are being cancelled for spring and summer 2009. Specifically, this will apply to classes that do not "make," meaning those that have very low enrollment. While this will modestly limit choices, deans have been instructed to manage course offerings so that you will be able to enroll in those classes needed to progress toward earning their degrees.

II. OneCarolina and Capital Improvements

We will defer the much-needed, system-wide overhaul and modernization of data and information management processes known as OneCarolina. The immediate savings are considerable, but the costs to the University system of foregoing this important process could be massive. Therefore, we will re-engineer OneCarolina so that the data and information processing capabilities of the USC system are sufficient to meet fundamental needs for the foreseeable future.

We also are deferring or scaling back desperately needed maintenance of our buildings.

III. Personnel Actions

IV. Other Savings

Travel expenses will be reduced. We recognize it as crucial to our research mission so that faculty and student scholars can present and discuss their discoveries at gatherings of prominent researchers and scholars. Therefore, funding is being rationed so that travel to the most prestigious meetings is supported. Travel on grant funding will not be affected.

Some units are reducing and, in some cases, eliminating summer research support for faculty.

We are reducing purchases of supplies, books, journals, and equipment deemed as non-mission critical.

Certain institutes or centers may be phased out.

As you read this, be assured that I, as your president, and the entire university administration are committed to preserving and protecting your Carolina education and ensuring that it remains the cornerstone experience of your lifetime.

I have said many times that, as we confront these challenges, you, the students, are my source of inspiration and pride. Your achievements, your enthusiasm, and your spirit are the very soul of this university.

I cannot deny that these cuts are painful. Our strength and character will be tested, but, guided by the values and ideals of the Carolinian Creed, we will pass that test, and our university will emerge from these difficulties able to continue its proud mission of teaching, research and service.

Sincerely,

Harris Pastides
President, University of South Carolina