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An overall budget reduction of $30 million
requires a combination of larger changes as well as smaller, narrowly targeted changes
in administrative, student and academic support operations that yield incremental
savings. The proposed plan eliminates allowances for general inflationary increases
and new initiatives, which means new needs must be covered through re-allocation
of existing funds. Central pools used to fund one-time needs, administrative equipment,
and programmatic facilities improvements are reduced by half; funding for overtime
is reduced; and discretionary funds are significantly reduced.
In addition, an overall reduction of 6-7 percent is
planned in administrative, student and academic support operations. These changes
affect staff positions as well as general expense categories. Smith will invite any
staff interested in reducing their work schedules to consult with their supervisors
about the possibility of such a reduction. A specific
announcement about voluntary reduction of schedules will be forthcoming shortly.
To achieve savings across the college, the plan calls
for a range of reductions, including:
- Academic resources: Reduce Science Center budgets for computer
upgrades and replacements, similar to reductions in Information Technology Services,
and carry fewer service contracts. Reduce special exhibitions in the Museum. Reduce
expenses for publication of the journal Meridians by moving to electronic-only
publication and more extensive use of student internships for administrative and
editorial work.
- Athletics: Reduce administrative costs and reduce summer athletics
facility hours.
- Campus safety operations: Consolidate Public Safety department
with those at Mount Holyoke and Hampshire colleges, reducing costs and expanding
flexibility and efficiency across the three campuses. Smith’s officers will
continue to work on our campus except when training or assisting with coverage
on other campuses.
- Dining: Convert one hot breakfast dining location to an extended
continental breakfast; reduce hours at current sites for the extended-breakfast
hours option. Limit operations at the College Club to a catering venue that includes
the two regularly-scheduled weekly luncheon series, Sigma Xi and the Liberal Arts
Lunches, eliminating other lunch service.
- Printing and mailing: Achieve substantial savings by converting
many printed items to electronic-only. Examples include NewsSmith, the
catalogue, the campus directory, and a number of admission brochures whose purposes
can be served by electronic outreach and social networking. Discontinue the printed
class schedule booklet. Eliminate the Museum of Art newsletter. Eliminate payroll
mailings to employees; limit payroll to direct deposit with electronic distribution
of pay information.
- Student life: Restructure Health Services, eliminating late-night
and weekend hours. Restructure Chapel to emphasize programming on ethics, social
responsibility and religious literacy. Reduce summer operating hours in the Campus
Center. Eliminate the not-for-credit Interterm program. Move to a model of three
(versus four) class deans upon a retirement. Share employer relations position
with Mount Holyoke College. Reduce the On-Campus Internship Program.
- Other: Reduce the college’s subsidy to the Alumnae Association
of Smith College. Suspend the fall faculty/staff party. Reduce the employee training
and development program and funding for human resources workshops.
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Message from
the President
Introduction
Employee
Compensation
Student-to-Faculty
Ratio
Comprehensive
Fee
Revenue
Facilites & Utilities
Study
Abroad
Libraries &
Information
Technology
Services
Administrative,
Student & Academic Support
Revenue
Generation
Investment
Required
Appendix
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