Campus Budget Overview Meeting (April 24, 2008)

To the Campus Community:

As President McCormick has noted in his recent emails to the university community,  Governor Corzine’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2009 includes cuts for higher education in New Jersey.

Clearly, this proposal would hinder Rutgers’ ability to deliver services and maintain excellence in our core mission.  President McCormick and many Rutgers advocates are working with the governor’s office and the legislature to seek reasonable restoration of New Jersey’s higher education budget in these difficult economic times.  Information about the state budget process may be found online at http://www.rutgers.edu/publicaffairs/fy2009.shtml.

We must be prepared for the possible outcomes of the FY2009 state budget.  I ask you to join me for a campus meeting from 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, April 30.  The open forum will be held in the 401 Penn classroom accessible from the side of the Paul Robeson Library facing the admissions building.

During this session, I will provide you with an update on the budget situation, and would like to hear your ideas and concerns.  Dr. Nancy Winterbauer, vice president for university budgeting, will join us to provide an overview of Rutgers’ budgeting processes and funding sources.  I seek your best thinking about how Rutgers-Camden might absorb funding cuts while preserving our core academic excellence and our campus’ highly regarded reputation for serving our students and our region. 

Your ideas and advocacy are vital.  I hope to see you next Wednesday.

While the reductions proposed in this budget introduce an element of uncertainty in planning for the coming fiscal year, let me make abundantly clear that our campus will remain steadfast in its commitment to delivering a world-class education and student services; producing exceptional research; and serving the state and region as an invaluable resource for growth.

These are the attributes that define Rutgers-Camden, thanks to your dedication and hard work.  We will be aggressive in our efforts to protect them.

In advance, thank you for your support.  I will be certain to keep you informed as to our progress throughout this budget cycle.

Margaret Marsh

Interim Provost