tl19900920_000 "Vol. 86 No. 3 ""Required Reading"" September 20, 1990 Published weekly by the s die BUDGET CiRtigeft ihtgTowson MD 21204 By Lisa Goldberg News Editor In the wake of the severe budget cuts of the University of Maryland system schools by the State, University President Hoke Smith spoke of fiscal concerns in his annual address to Towson State faculty and staff last Thursday. ""It will be an interesting year, but I must admit that I prefer the interest of building rather than the interest of budget reductions,"" Smith said. ""However, budget years are somewhat like the weather. Sometimes one doesn't have the choice."" To illustrate the need for frugality during the 1990-1991 academic year, the reception following the speech was moved from the exclusive University Club to the Fine Arts lobby, and from wine and cheese to punch and cookies. ""As a first gesture, I was told there was a long debate over whether we should have the usual reception, or should we not,"" Smith said. ""We decided we would not. We would piggy bank and give up the crab balls for this evening's celebra-tion."" Governor William Donald Schaefer recently ordered a $150 million reduction in the annual budget. Effective immediately, the University of Maryland system has been ordered to return monies to the state in the amount of $38.6 million. The cuts are necessary due to a short fall in tax revenues and higher than antici-pated expenses in health care and welfare programs, Smith said. But, even with the budget shortfall, the governor has stated that essential services within the universities must be maintained. ersonally, I am grateful that the governor has acted promptly to a the 'state budgetary problems,"" he said. ""Reduction will become more difficult as the fisaal year progresses and money is spent."" Although the full effect of the reductions on the lbwson State community is not yet clear, the University has already felt numerous aftershocks of the announce-ment. One project to be put on hold is a pilot project for the assessment of student learning. The project, which has been in the works for four years, will have to be ""deferred"" from its original intent and will instead focus on program review as a means of evaluation. One of the areas in danger of closing is the post office because the frequent turnover in that area will be affected by the hiring freeze mandated by the gover-nor. Also, cuts to the Cook Library budget have forced a reduction in the library's hours of operation. Smith said, though, his most controversial decision in the past weeks has been the decision not to reopen Stephens Hall as planned in the spring. Because operating costs of the renovated structure would take funds away from a planned equipment account, there would be no money to equip the computer labs or provide needed furnishings for the theatre. Stephens is now scheduled to open next fall, unless funds are needed to help finance a ""future budget reduction."" All of these decisions, Smith said, have taken their emotional toll on the University. ""Funding both supports activities and is a symbol of importance and. priority"" Smith said. ""Budget cuts are particularly emotional in that they repre-sent plans, aspirations and hopes deferred or curtailed."" Smith also addressed the effects the cuts would have on the University faculty and staff. The president explained that at present, the University does not expect to lay off either state or contractual employees, although some contractual employees may not be renewed when their contracts expire. Some part-time faculty may teach fewer sections in the spring, and some others will not be reappointed. And, where feasible, the University may increase class size by two or three students in the spring. ""In the short run, our goal is to achieve budget reductions while saving the jobs of the people that are in them,"" Smith said. The president explained that the fall semester will be fiscally tight in order to hold money for equipment and one-time expenses. In the event of a second budget reduction, the funds could be cut; otherwise, they will be available for use in the spring. ""It is reasonable to expect that the state's budget problems will last more than one year. Therefore, a multi-year plan will be needed,"" he said. Smith also spoke of the need for a re-examination of the General University Requirements. He said he would like to see a greater emphasis in the require-ments on the thinking process and the role of foreign languages. Due to the changing nature of the University, with 65 percent of all new students being transfers, Smith said an evaluation of the requirements' effectiveness is needed to ""see whether the GURs are still serving the goals of the students as we look to the 21st century.' � More budget news, page 2 � � Give us your best!, page 7 � Football loses home opener, page 8 � Ruskie clowning at Theater Project, page 16 AKII?�? "
