The Observer, February 2, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 15
Editorial: Forecasted budget deficit exceeds original projection
It's a new year at Case with three recently appointed deans, the announcement of a new president, and a Branding Task Group seeking answers. Last year's issues and problems seem to have slowly disappeared and we are now on the path to a bright and successful future. Or are we?
Just a few days after the spring semester began, Interim President John Eastwood announced that a budget deficit of about $14 million is predicted for fiscal year 2007 (ending June 30, 2007). This figure is compared to the original predicted deficit of $10.5 million. The total operating budget is about $830 million, including a $5 million contingency that is part of the original budget. While these are only forecasted figures, and a mid-year assessment of the budget is currently being prepared, a greater deficit than predicted is never good news and once again, something is going wrong.
Since last year, we have gained a significantly different administration with new personalities and opinions leading the university. With such changes, we believed that issues such as the budget would begin to settle. But have things really changed since the resignations of former President Edward Hundert along with several deans and the many layoffs that were revealed this past summer?
Perhaps the forecasted budget is simply a sign that the highly criticized leaders that are no longer here were not as incompetent as opponents once thought. Among other things, Hundert resigned after much disapproval was expressed regarding his methods of spending and financial irresponsibility. But now he's no longer leading the university and unfortunately we are still facing the same problems.
What measures must the university take to ensure the alleviation of the deficit? Most importantly though, how will the students of the university be influenced?
One of the alleged causes of the shortage is decreased professional and graduate enrollment. However, it is no secret that undergraduate enrollment has been breaking records over the past few years. Will opportunities and programs meant for undergraduates be cut, and will tuition increase at an unprecedented rate to help lessen budget problems? Hopefully the rising undergraduate population will not have to suffer the consequences from problems in other areas of the university.
Undergraduates at Case have long decried the secrecy and imperviousness of past administrations; we can only hope that through open communication with the current administration, further problems will not come as a surprise to students. Though the budget is an issue that may not be resolved for another few years, it isn't something that should be holding us back. Instead, appreciate the boundless opportunities that have been made available to us and make an effort to take full advantage of them.
