March 18, 2011
University Planning Council
Minutes for March 18, 2011
Present: Jane Fernandes, Vic Foster, Eric Gant, Archer Gravely, Bill Haggard, Julie Heinitsh, Jim Kuhlman, Erica Abrams Locklear, Ted Meigs, Chris Miller, Patrice Mitchell, Kevin Moorhead, Gary Nallan, Linda Nelms, Dave Peifer, John Pierce, Anne Ponder, Christine Riley, Lorena Russell, Katja Greeson, Rachel Whaley
Absent: Buffy Bagwell
UPC met in Highsmith Union 221 from 8:55 to 10:00.
1. In a budget update, Chancellor Ponder reported that the 2010 appropriated repair and renovation funds have been held up by the state and it is not clear how we will address facility needs without this funding source. She reported that we were asked by UNC General Administration last Thursday [during spring break] to submit a plan for an additional 5% cut to the currently planned 10% reduction by the following Tuesday. The additional 5% represents approximately $2M. Since there is ‘nothing left to cut but people,’ we have divided the $2M figure among Vice Chancellor divisions using the same proportions as last time, and used an average salary to determine the number of positions that would be lost. Only dollar amounts and number of positions have been submitted in our plan. No specific positions, departments or programs have been identified. Chancellor Ponder stated that we don’t know how likely the 15% cut will be, but by the end of next month, a major budget variable will be known to us – state revenues from April 15th tax deadline. She also noted that any cuts above the 10% we’ve already planned for would most certainly result in job losses. Mr. Pierce noted that the UPC Resource Allocation document has been very helpful in planning budget cuts so far, but the extra 5% would be very difficult. UPC discussed various strategies for responding to the new additional 5% budget cut plan.
2. In a discussion of President Ross’s visit to campus, Ms. Nelms noted the opportunity for faculty, staff, alumni, and students to meet with the new President. She asked UPC to help identify discussion points we would like to make with the new UNC President. Chancellor Ponder reported that President Ross will try to protect the UNC budget based on the important role of the University system in the economic development of the state.