Despite budget cuts, Lemanski says students still "top priority"

Texas A&M University-Commerce implemented budget cuts during the summer, which were submitted and accepted by the state government, in order to offset the economic downturn. 

Provost Larry Lemanski said although making budget cuts can be difficult, he and the university remain vigilant in fulfilling the school's mission.

"In this challenging economic time, the university remains committed to funding programs that impact the university's mission of transforming students' lives by providing opportunities and access to higher education for the students of Northeast Texas," he said.

With that purpose in mind, Lemanski said he and university administrators are still pursuing growth for the school, while remaining economically conscious of viable resources. He cited the Student Access and Success Center as one such example. He said the cost of creating the center was $1 million and that other universities have paid upward of $20 million for similar buildings.

"Our university leaders had the wisdom to look at a facility like the former print shop and envision what it could be – a great resource for the student body," he said.

Vice President for Business and Administration Bob Brown said utilities underwent a $200,000 cut.

The addition of the chilled water loop has aided the university in saving money, and such efforts will not stop there.

"We are always looking for ways to be more energy efficient and improve our operations," he said.

Lemanski said several other updates have been made in campus buildings in order to increase energy efficiency, such as waterless urinals, lighting, sun screens, boilers, chillers, cooling towers and new air conditioning systems.

Brown said he expects to cut $225,000 from the utilities budget next year.

The removal of certain positions was another way Lemanski said the university was able to meet the required budget cuts. He said 16.8 positions were eliminated from state funding. Most of these positions were in the Provost's division, but none resulted in the removal of an A&M-Commerce employee. Eight positions were reassigned to other funding sources, 8.3 positions were unfilled vacancies and .5 was from unfilled retirement.

Lemanski said the money saved from these cuts is required to be returned to the state, and that the university will likely face additional cuts next year. He said Texas leaders have already asked state agencies to lower their next two-year, non-formula funding requests by 10 percent in preparation for the 2011 legislature.

Despite the cuts, Lemanski said he considers the university lucky since it has managed some deeper cuts like those felt in California, Washington and Louisiana.

Brown offered other reasons to keep a positive outlook in the wake of the cuts. He said $400,000 has been reallocated for program expansion and the development of five new programs.

According to Lemanski, education remains the university's main focus.

"Students can rest assured that their success is, and will continue to be our top priority," he said.