Message from the Provost

Dear WVU Colleagues, Students, and Community Members,

The Governor’s announcement of a hiring freeze for State executive offices does not extend to West Virginia University. However, we continue to operate in financially uncertain times. We are facing a proposed 8.9% cut in State appropriations ($13.3M), a competitive enrollment environment, and reductions in federal appropriations and research grant funds due to sequestration. We are also concerned that the decline in state revenue collections and growing mandates at the state level may negatively impact state appropriated allocations in FY15 as well. With this uncertainty, it is challenging to establish a definitive budget plan for FY14 at this time. Given these shortfalls, we believe it is prudent to mitigate costs and explore new revenue ideas in order to provide as much flexibility as possible to units across the campus. We would strongly urge fiscal prudence for the remainder of FY13.

Specifically, we suggest:

• Careful review of requests to fill any current or upcoming vacancies since 65% of our budget is invested in personnel salaries and benefits. Consider carefully the degree to which a vacancy is crucial to the core mission of your division before moving forward with a hire;
• Careful review of any travel requests to determine if alternative, less costly means are available to meet program objectives.
• Careful review of any major expenditures for equipment or other supplies to assure that they are essential in delivering core mission services.

These additional reviews are important tools in establishing expenditure priorities for the remaining months of this year.

The University must continue to invest in its 2020 Strategic Plan, academic program quality, master plan projects, and other mission critical initiatives. We must continue to move forward as we adjust our fiscal plan to reflect the loss of state appropriations and other revenues. This may require a reallocation or repositioning of resources into the University’s core mission initiatives and other initiatives that contribute to the long-term quality of the institution.

As the FY14 revenue picture becomes clearer, we will be engaging the campus community to explore various options to effectively manage the loss of state appropriations. The magnitude and duration of the state cuts will have an impact on the type of corrective actions required to maintain the University’s stable financial position.

At this time, it would be helpful if you would assist us in developing a list of cost savings and revenue generating ideas; (e.g., consolidating programs and modification to existing practices or policies to streamline operations). Please share your ideas with us by visiting http://planning.wvu.edu/treasury_operations/budget_suggestions as soon as possible.

With careful financial planning, we believe we will get through the next academic year without diminishing the quality of the delivery of our core mission activities or the academic quality of the University.

– Provost Michele G. Wheatly
– Vice President Narvel G. Weese, Jr.