Nichol letter addresses state-mandated budget reductions
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced recently that state agencies—including public institutions of
higher education—would be asked to make budget reductions to help fill in the state revenue
shortfall of $641 million over the next biennium. The state asked the College to submit tentative
plans for reducing William and Mary's budget this fiscal year by 7
percent, or $3.4 million. William and Mary President Gene R. Nichol
sent the following message today to faculty, staff and students at the
College. —Ed.
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:
In recent days, Governor Kaine has informed Virginia's state colleges
and universities--along with all other state agencies--that revenue
shortfalls would require budget reductions in the current fiscal year.
While Virginia's economy continues to grow, it does so less robustly
than the Commonwealth's projections have indicated. So the College of
William and Mary was asked to submit plans to cut some seven percent
from this year's budget. We submitted a draft plan to do so late
yesterday afternoon.
While we can't get into the specifics of these plans until the Governor
has reviewed and released them, it's possible that their details may
change--favorably--in the days and weeks to come. My colleagues and I
on campus, at other institutions, and on the Board of Visitors are
already working with the Governor and his staff in the important budget
process just initiated. I note that the Governor has indicated, just
today, the powerful role that higher education plays in the
Commonwealth's future--and his strong support for it. A seven-percent
cut, should it come, will make that value difficult to sustain.
Even the suggestion of cuts may be troubling for those who work so hard
to press often meager resources to the full. We'll be working
vigorously to preserve support worthy of our students, faculty, staff,
and the communities and Commonwealth we serve. And we'll move, if
necessary, to address whatever cuts do come in a way that protects the
core values of the College. I'll be in touch with you as things develop.
Gene Nichol
