(THE PICKET) – According to an email sent to Shepherd University employees by President Mary J.C. Hendrix, the University will be allocated $191,040 less than the appropriation designated in the original 2017 fiscal year budget.
The State of West Virginia, according to the email, has continued to experience tax-revenue issues and to offset them the Governor has ordered a 2% budget rescission from all State agencies.
“In light of the holiday season that is now upon us, it is my desire for every faculty and staff member to know that we are committed to our University community and establishing effective alternatives that will reduce expenses and raise revenues,” Hendrix said in the email she sent Friday, Nov. 29, to faculty and staff.
Due to the University’s reduced student enrollment this year, Hendrix has ordered a cut in University spending in several departments to create savings.
According to the email, the facilities department is restructuring its use of outside contractors to reduce net costs and is expected to save at least $30,000 in the current year.
Hendrix also said that the University is discontinuing its use of state p-cards for internal transactions to allow Shepherd a reduction in “unnecessary” credit card transaction fees, which will save the University $12,000 per year.
The president also said in the email that she is asking all administrative offices to place an increased emphasis on saving funds and to avoid discretionary travel expenditures throughout the remainder of the year unless it is applied to student learning experiences.
Although the budget cuts will affect the University, Hendrix remains optimistic for the future of Shepherd.
“While this additional budget cut is disappointing, I know our University community can work effectively together to maintain our momentum for academic excellence and success. It is especially important that each of us do all we can to help the University’s student recruitment and retention efforts, as we build our future,” Hendrix said.