The state legislature and the governor have reached a budget agreement that covers both fiscal years 2008-09 and 2009-10, and the news is not good for the UC system. At UCLA there is a one-time $6-million cut in state general funds this fiscal year and a reduction in permanent funding from the state of $12.6 million this fiscal year and $9.7 million in the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Although expected increases in student fees will amount to $21 million, the campus must still find more than $75 million for expenses not covered in the state budget. These unfunded mandates include utilities and building maintenance, employee benefits, salary increases for represented staff, and contributions to the retirement system starting in 2009-10.
Although the repercussions on the individual departments are not yet clear, I have been closely involved in the planning process being coordinated by Vice Chancellor Steve Olsen. Along with other deans, I have submitted scenarios for implementing cuts of three percent, five percent, and eight percent in the Library's allocation of state funds, which makes up approximately eighty-seven percent of our budget. I am also participating on high-level task groups examining ways to cut costs, increase efficiencies, increase revenue, and adjust programs without affecting quality.
If you want the latest information on how the budget cuts will affect the Library, check my blog. I'll post updates there as developments merit.
In the meantime, though these are unquestionably difficult times, we can't let them keep us from proactively moving forward. In fact, we may find that these financial difficulties present us with opportunities that we might not otherwise have considered.
With that optimistic but pragmatic outlook, the Library has recently begun the process of creating a new strategic plan for 2010-13. UCLA is also in the midst of developing a campuswide academic plan, which is based the chancellor's principles of academic excellence, diversity, civic engagement, and financial security. I am involved in the academic planning process, and its contents will inform many elements of our own strategic plan.
The Library's current plan, covering 2006-09, is available online. Our planning process has started with an assessment of the status of the outcomes listed for each of its goals, which are to transform the collection, collaborate on scholarly publishing, make specialized collections accessible, enrich services, improve research skills, and enhance learning spaces. All Library staff members are involved in the planning process, and feedback from UCLA faculty, students, and staff will be actively sought.
I will post regular blog updates on our strategic plan, both the status of the development process itself and highlights of elements of the plan as they begin to come together. I very much encourage you to ask questions and offer comments, either via the blog or directly to me by phone at extension 51201 or by email.