Budget cuts cause reduction in student employment

In the 2010 fiscal year the University of Northern Iowa will incur a $15.9 million general fund budget cut. Although the school will receive $12.4 million in one-time government stimulus funds for the year, the reduced budget will impact several university employee positions.
   
Approximately 80 percent of the university's budget goes toward employee compensation. Budget cuts will effect 80-100 positions. Currently, the university is working to minimize the possibility of layoffs by not filling vacant positions, implementing an Early Retirement program and not rehiring a number of adjunct faculty.
   
According to Vice President for Administration and Financial Services Thomas Schellhardt, when many departments look at reducing their budgets, they have been forced to look at reducing the number of student employees. The amount, locations and specifics of the reductions in student employment are unknown at this time. A few graduate assistantship lines will also not be filled.
   
The news of a reduction in the amount of student employment has come as a surprise to a few student employees.
   
"I don't think its necessarily fair to the students who are counting on those jobs to be there who had them in the past," said Ben Wells, student supervisor at Prexy's in Maucker Union.  "On the same token, with the economy the way it is, the university needs to find ways to make budget cuts. Maybe that's not necessarily the right way, but if that's the route you're going to take then that's what you got to do."
   
Prexy's Cashier Erin Dencker was surprised to hear there would be a reduction in UNI student employment next year, but has noticed the efforts Prexy's employees have been making to save money.
   
"I know we are trying to conserve energy and save money by turning off the lights, especially in the coolers and freezers. When we're not using them we turn them off," said Dencker. " We are just trying to be aware of waste. Making sure that we're not wasteful of the products that we have here that we're stocking. That we're not making too much food that's going to waste."
   
According to Schellhardt, if the state economy declines, the university will be looking at making layoffs.
   
"Worst case scenario for fiscal 2010, given the budget reductions we know about now would be 10-12 faculty and support staff layoffs," he said.
   
Due to the budget reductions, students can expect to see increased class size, less support staff in student service areas and less adjunct faculty.
   
Despite other reductions, the student aid set aside will remain the same. The Board of Regents policy mandates that $0.15 of every dollar goes toward financial aid. UNI dedicates $0.18 of every tuition dollar and will continue to do that in the 2010 fiscal year.
   
"Like the other two universities, we are faced with tough decisions when it comes to budget cuts," said Schellhardt. " We want to make sure the university continues to be affordable and accessible."