$30M to be cut from Purdue budget

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue University must cut $30 million from its next budget as state revenues continue to decline.

"We have revenue projections from this last quarter that we weren't expecting," President France Cordova said.

President Cordova and Executive Vice President Al Diaz told a packed house at the President's Forum that by next year the university could be short $11 million and about $30 million every year after that. By 2013 the university's budget could have a cumulative shortfall of $70 million. The university does not anticipate an increase in appropriations from the state in the next few years so the university must cut spending.

"In recent discussions it's become clear that if the budget continues to erode like it has they may not be able to insulate education," Diaz said.

A steering committee will be formed to find ways to cut costs. The committee will include students, faculty and staff. It will have about five months to make recommendations. President Cordova said the goal is to retain employees and keep tuition flat.

"It's so important to preserve jobs as much as possible here. We all agree that we have to give somewhere. We've got to tightened our belts and we want to do this in a very organized systematic way," Cordova said.

"One of my objectives is to come forward with a set of options that exceed the 30 million dollars so we have that choice. Are we going to choose to eliminate some of our choice or are we going to choose," Diaz said.

Some university employees say they are encouraged by this proactive approach.

"I'm glad that they are giving us insight in what's going on and how we can help bring about change in an open approach," Orlando Garcia said.

Diaz and Provost Randy Woodson will co-chair the committee. A plan of action will be developed by the end of the year so that it can be presented at the February Board of Trustees meeting. The Board will have a final approval of the plan and will be looked at when planning for the budget next year.

Click here for a link to the website that has been established to allow students, staff and faculty to offer suggestions.