University address forecasts financial troubles

The “state of the university” address and community luncheon attracted more than 400 people Thursday. The concern most people had before the address was the fiscal state of the university.

Stephen Luttmen, chairman of the Faculty Senate, introduced University of NorthernColorado President Kay Norton by telling a few stories to enlighten the crowd about her. As the president approached the podium, she was welcomed with applause from the audience. Norton’s speech encouraged optimism regarding the future of UNC.

Justin Puckett, the Student Senate president, said he was impressed with the turnout of faculty members, administrators, students and all the others in attendance.

“The president was well spoken and put UNC in a great light,” said Maggie Wright, a Student Senate councilwoman.

During the address, Norton spent a substantial amount of time talking about the importance of higher education and the variables that make UNC unique. She also took time to talk about education, saying education is about the mind and the heart; however, the majority of the address was about the fiscal concerns of the present and the future.

Norton said the state funding for higher education has dropped; over the past 20 years, funding has been cut in half. UNC receives $44 million in state and federal funds, which is about one-fourth of the university’s total operating budget. Norton called the 2012 fiscal “the cliff.”

“We will see a drop of $14 million in state and federal funding,” Norton said.
Norton also said in order for the administration to serve the students in a fiscally responsible way, funds must be set aside in the 2011 fiscal year in order to prepare for the cliff.

 “Things are going to get scary in fiscal year 2012, but I am optimistic about the preparation of the university,” said Shane Vaughn, director of Student Organizations for the Student Senate. 

Norton also spoke about the Education Initiative Institute; but when asked about it from the audience, she did not elaborate. Faculty members said they were a little confused about the subject and didn’t know how it would affect the campus.