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Campus Letter on the Budget

Dear Colleague,

The Virginia General Assembly Sunday passed the 2010-12 biennial budget and I have below outlined the highlights as they pertain to the faculty, staff and students of Old Dominion University.

The approved budget does not contain any additional cuts for ODU. It also eliminates the proposal by former Governor Kaine to require current state employees to contribute toward the cost of their retirement. Moreover, there will be no additional furlough days for state employees, other than the one day this spring implemented by former Governor Kaine.

The budget does include language for a 3 percent bonus for state employees in fiscal year 2011, provided fiscal year 2010 revenues exceed the revenue assumptions of $82.2 million. If revenue falls short of the projected $82.2 million, the bonus amount will be prorated.

While current state employees will not be required to contribute toward their retirement, employees hired after July 1, 2010, will be required to contribute 5 percent. The approved budget also restores funding for the deferred compensation cash match program, with a partial restoration in 2011 of $10 per pay period and a full restoration of $20 per pay period in 2012.

Neither the House nor the Senate cut higher education above the reductions included in the Governor's introduced budget. Clearly, we are grateful for that.

The General Assembly did, however, agree to impose a $5 capital outlay fee for out-of-state students, raising the fee from $10 to $15 per credit hour. The Eminent Scholars program was reduced by 50 percent (a reduction of $1.74 million in each year of the biennium) and maintenance reserve funding was also reduced.

For ODU specifically, the budget includes funds for the construction of the Systems Research and Academic Building, as well as $2 million in non-general fund authority to begin the planning phase of our much-needed new Education Building. This cost associated with the upcoming design will be reimbursed when the project receives construction funding.

The General Assembly approved $6 million of additional funding for the Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund, which will provide more than $600,000 each year in ETF resources for ODU. Lastly, funding was spared for non-health-related centers, including the Darden College of Education teacher training center, which preserves $500,000 for the university and enables the center to continue its critical work improving at-risk schools and school districts.

In closing, I want to thank Elizabeth Kersey and Jim DeAngio, who, together with me, worked hard for both the University and higher education in the Commonwealth in general. A number of the Hampton Roads Senators and House members were also extremely supportive of the University during the session, as were staff members from each body. I am very grateful for their efforts on our behalf.

Looking forward, many legislators have pledged to work with me to ensure appropriate state support is restored to Old Dominion when funding again becomes available. Old Dominion University is a vital resource for the Hampton Roads region and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I look forward to reaching new heights with the continued support of our legislative delegation.

Sincerely,

John R. Broderick

President

This article was posted on: March 15, 2010