Welcome!

I’d first like to start by welcoming you to my new blog, dedicated to updating students, clarifying developments and analyzing future implications regarding Ohio University’s budget deficit. As many of you understand, the increasing costs, reduced or flat enrollment and state funding issues have forced OU administrators to start planning for a predicted $6 million to $11 million budget shortfall for the Athens campus in fiscal year 2008. But many programs and departments have already felt the effects of the budget shortfall, which as I see it, developed even before President McDavis took the reign three years ago.

However, officials continue to reiterate that a budget shortfall will not cause them to abandon their promises of “bettering undergraduate and graduate education,” increasing the number of faculty members and providing them with more competitive salaries.

If you’re anything like me, you have TONS of questions about this issue. What happened to all the money? Was reducing the deficit the main reason behind the athletic cuts that took place nearly three months ago? And we must not forget about departmental restructuring and the effect that these proposed cuts will have on many University offices, programs and student resources.

So, over the next few weeks, I’ll be diving into many of the above-mentioned issues as they develop and are reported in local newspapers and on the Ohio University Web site. Additionally, I’ll be chatting with students and faculty members, as well as attending forums or events related to the budget (Heads up: This Monday, May 7, President McDavis will be holding a meeting in Baker Ballroom B at noon, where he will reveal plans about the latest budget developments from Columbus, what they mean for the University and how his administration will invest in any additional resources from the state. A live Webcast will also be available from the Ohio University front door at www.ohio.edu. Look for a post to follow!)