MSU plans for budget cuts

As the state of Missouri faces the specter of cuts to the current budget, Missouri State University is preparing for the worst in next year's budget.

MSU President Michael Nietzel told university staff and students in a Nov. 26 message that he is asking school leaders to take numerous steps, including:

• preparing budget exercises based on a 5 percent reduction in state appropriations;

• prioritizing current job openings; and

• evaluating minimum enrollment guidelines for individual courses.

"As solid as our financial standing is, we must recognize that the economic downturn calls for unique planning and preparation if we want to maintain our positions," Nietzel said in the message, adding that the school also has to remember the impact of the economy on students and parents. "The temptation to offset any decline in appropriations with a commensurate increase in tuition must be very carefully evaluated as we simultaneously attempt to maintain quality and assure affordability."