Budget Update

June 30, 2009

Dear Colleagues:

We wish to thank all of you who have submitted comments regarding the three furlough/salary reduction proposals, and continue to encourage all members of the campus community to share their thoughts and ideas about how best to cope with the budget challenges we are experiencing.

While too many responses were received to address each one individually, please know that the relevant coordinating units are doing everything possible to ensure that your input on the furlough/salary reduction options is being forwarded, via the appropriate channels and in summary form, for consideration by the Office of the President. President Yudof is scheduled to present one of the three options, or some version thereof, to the Regents for consideration at their July meeting. The outcome will be communicated to you as soon as possible thereafter.

Some of your communications ask specific questions related to individual situations. We encourage everyone to review a list of Q&As about the furlough/salary reduction options, available at http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/news/general/0906-furlough_faq.pdf. While these Q&As may not answer everyone's questions, these are the facts available at this time. Many specific situations may not have an answer yet, as discussions are continuing at the Office of the President. For an example of the type of feedback being submitted by UCI non-represented staff, please visit www.hr.uci.edu/announcements/UCI_Comments_Summary-Salary%20_Reduction_Options.pdf.

Thank you, also, to those of you who have submitted ideas about cost-savings measures and other budget strategies to budget@uci.edu. Your submissions have been insightful and creative, and are being shared with the campus Budget Workgroup for its consideration.

It is encouraging to see the participation of members of the campus community as we develop solutions to the very serious resource reductions with which we are faced. New information about the furlough/salary reduction plans and the budget situation will continue to be disseminated as it becomes available, and will be posted at www.evc.uci.edu/budget/index.html.

Faculty and staff involvement is especially instrumental to campus planning efforts during these challenging times, and we hope you will continue to share your suggestions as we move forward.

Chancellor Michael Drake

Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost Michael Gottfredson