TWO UPCOMING EVENTS!

This week begins with staff deeply worried about Phase 2 layoffs and with news from Montpelier that for Vermont to be eligible for federal stimulus money, it must restore to the state colleges and UVM this year's funding cut and keep next year at least at this year's level of funding. Suddenly UVM's projected budget deficit is nowhere near $22 to $28 million. Next year's budget gap would be more in the range of $9 million, easily handled by reducing the size and expense of administration (do we need 26 vice president positions? 29 deans and associate deans?) and also by slowing the pace of dealing with the Fogel administration's overspending on such costly items as PeopleSoft. Yet no one in Waterman has stepped out to say, "We're halting the layoffs. We're looking using the money from Montpelier to restore jobs, positions, and courses."

So two upcoming events--one sponsored by United Academics and Students Stand Up and one planned by students--are well-timed (click on each to view/print the full-size poster):