Message from Interim President Walker

[Gopher administrator <gophrad@mail.auburn.edu>]

Dear Members of the Auburn University Community:
   
I am writing to inform you about some very recent developments which
are affecting Auburn University, and to solicit your participation,
through your leadership groups, in the making of some difficult
decisions which we shall face in the weeks and months to come. I ask
also for your understanding that given the rapidity and complexity of
recent events it has taken me until today to assess them, chart out an
initial course of action, and inform you through this message.

First, I would like to review recent changes in administration. The
Board of Trustees  has appointed me Interim President. I have in turn
appointed Dr. John Pritchett to the position of Acting Provost. The term
"acting" will permit John to assume responsibility immediately, while I
work with Senate leadership to provide for faculty input into the
designation of an Interim Provost, whom I would expect to serve until a
new president is appointed. I expect to follow this pattern of acting
appointments, followed by review and selection of persons to serve in
interim capacities, for positions at the level of the provost, deans,
and vice presidents.

I have also appointed Dr. John Heilman to serve as assistant to the
president during the interim administration. Dr. Heilman's
responsibilities will include maintaining open communications between
this office and major constituent groups. I will also expect him to take
part in the development and implementation of university policy, and to
oversee the activities of the president's office staff. Dr. Heilman will
take the place of Ms. Lynne Hammond, who has served in the role of
assistant to the president.  Ms. Hammond will assume the role of Acting
Assistant Vice President for Human Resources due to the retirement of
Mr. Darwin Liverance.

Next, I would like to review the issue of  proration. As you are likely
aware, the governor and the legislature have determined that state
revenues will not be sufficient to provide full funding for the current
education budget which they approved last year. "Proration" represents
the difference between budgeted and available state funding for
educational institutions. Original estimates projected a shortfall, or
proration, of about 6.2% for the entire state education budget. This
would have represented approximately $12.9 million for Auburn University
including AUM, and we were reasonably prepared to address such a
shortfall with minimal impact on the academic quality of the
institution.  However, the state's K-12 school systems, with the
governor's support, have filed suit to exempt K-12 school systems from
the effects of proration.

Our close following of this case suggests there is a very real
possibility that the entire state proration may be bourne by higher
education.  The result would be a budget reduction of at least 18.5% of
the state funded portion of our budget. This represents almost $38.6
million.  We expect a decision in this case within days, and we feel we
must plan now for the steps we take if the suit is successful.

Two issues are involved: what steps do we take with respect to the
current year's budget; and, what steps do we recommend for the longer
term, given that our state funding for next year will be kept the same
as the prorated amount of state funding we receive this year.  In order
to determine what steps we might need to take, I directed John Pritchett
to ascertain from deans and other unit administrators the steps they
might foresee under a worst case scenario.  The results of this review
make clear the devastating impact such large cuts would have.

A loss of 18.5% of state funding would result in an overall operating
budget reduction of approximately 10 to 11% (state appropriations
account for approximately 60% of unrestricted operational funds). I have
directed Dr. Large to recommend steps we can take, during the current
year, to draw as many of the prorated dollars as possible from sources
other than immediate instructional costs.

It appears that we would be able to limit somewhat the damage done in
the current year by the loss of 18.5% of state funding.  The impact of
such a reduction starting next year, however, would be devastating.  I
want to emphasize, however, that we would assign the highest value to
maintaining the integrity of our academic programs, the conduct of which
represents the irreducible core function of this university. 

I am committed to faculty involvement in the review of how we best
manage reductions in our budget. To this end, I am working with the
Senate leadership to keep them informed and to engage them in
formulating and assessing our options.  I intend, as well, to solicit
involvement from the leadership of the Staff Council,
Administrative/Professional Assembly, and students.  I also believe it
is important to provide you with the most current information that we
have. Therefore, I expect to provide you with weekly or bi-weekly e-mail
updates along the lines of this message.
   

In conclusion, I  ask your support as we address the challenges of the
coming weeks and months. Please share your questions and concerns with
your elected representatives. I will expect them, and other leaders, to
help us in this office understand, and address, the issues and concerns
which so vitally affect our university's well-being.

        William F. Walker
        Interim President