January 17, 2008

To:        Faculty, Staff and Students,  University of South Florida St. Petersburg

From:       Karen A. White, Regional Chancellor

At today’s workgroup meetings of the USF Board of Trustees, President Genshaft confirmed that the state’s financial picture continues to decline and that it is expected that all state universities will take additional budget cuts. The economic downturn is expected to continue through the 2009-2010 academic year.  President Genshaft will be making a webcast to the USF faculty, staff, and students tomorrow to detail current information. 

The Regional Vice Chancellors and I have numerous system meetings in the next two weeks to discuss the system approach to budget reductions. We anticipate a hiring freeze as a first system action.  

I recently added the chairs of the faculty senate, the staff council and the A&P council to the university Budget Council.

I ask the assistance of all employees as we develop our USFSP approach to the budget cuts.