Universities hold line on costs as enrollment surges - Houston Business Journal:

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President David Schmidly implementeda “pause and initiative that he says reduces expenses and maximizes savings. It includew postponing new hires and taking a criticak lookat promotions, pay increaseas and even travel A voluntary furlough program begins in July. “Thse speed at which this happenedis amazing,” he said. “Thes minute we got a sense of the declineein revenue, we took is under a hiring “chill.” “We’re callinvg it that because everu position that becomes available will go through a said President Kathie Winograd. She said CNM is stilo hiring security officers, full-time faculty and even a couplerof deans.
“If it’s not goinvg to support students, we’re going to wait,” she said. The need to cut costsd comes as many colleges and universities are seeingvenrollments surge, which oftemn happens as people go back to school in a tougbh job market. CNM enrollment is up 15 percent. Both UNM and in Las Cruce s expect a significant rise in applications this summeeand fall. Higher education leaderss are vowing to keep construction projectsmovinyg along. At , two major projectss already in the works are keeping buildere humming and the presidentfeeling hopeful.
A healty and science complex and a trade s and advanced technology center broke ground last year and are scheduled for completion this The projects arecreating high-wage jobs for Sant Fe residents, said President Sheila Ortego. “Part of the tech cente is sustainability, green building and renewable energy things the federal governmentyis pushing,” she said. “Community colleges work hand-in-hand with economic developmenr efforts, and one thing that is keeping us excited is that the work we are doint is critical tothe economy.” Schmidly agrees.
“Construction providesz jobs to folks not only employexdby UNM, but to those in Albuquerque and the state,” he “We are moving forward with the $60 million Pit renovation, for The Pit is the arena where UNM’s basketball teams play. Work on the UNM and CNM campusee under construction in Rio Ranchp alsowill continue. Colleges are also seekinb to save money on SFCC might close its campuseon Sunday, when fewer student s are typically on campus. Schmidly said UNM should not make up budget deficitsw onthe “backs of “We are going to make sure that it’s Schmidly said.
“Whether it’s through college loan programs or thelottery scholarship, this is still a statwe where higher education is affordable.” Gov. Bill Richardson might call a speciao legislative session to grapple further withthe state’as budget and see how the federalo stimulus package, which includes funding for higherf education, will shake out. “I’m really proud of our lawmaker because I think they tried to protect as much of educationas possible,” Schmidly said. Winograd says educatio n can help people get throughthe “We need to be sensitive and aware that when the economhy is down, people need us the most,” she said.
“ grew up in a poor area of southeasternm Kentucky and when we were ina we’d sit around the kitchen tablr and figure out how to make it That’s what we’re doing at • Look for energy savings, especially during timed when there is little activitg on campus. • Consider putting hires that don’t directlu support students on hold. • Make sure you have the resourcee to deal with an increase in which is common duringfa downturn.
• Keep key construction projects