Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,
I must share the disappointing news that our division has been directed to reduce our budget by about $9.6 million for the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year due to state budget constraints. This is an immense and daunting figure that will inevitably impact our operations.
However, I want to make clear that protecting the quality of our core academic mission is my highest priority as we navigate this difficult situation. We cannot allow these budget cuts to derail the exceptional teaching, scholarship, and student support services that contribute to our university’s success.
Over the past several weeks, I have been working closely with the Academic Affairs Leadership Team to thoroughly review all expenditures and identify areas where reductions can be made with the least harmful effects on students. My charge to every dean, associate vice president, and director was to bring forward innovative cost-saving ideas while continuing to advance your areas’ key strategic priorities.
All options must be on the table, whether that involves consolidating redundant functions, implementing strict spending freezes, consolidating programs, leveraging technology for efficiencies, or other measures to preserve our instructional capabilities. We need to prepare not only for the short-term financial challenges, but for the next two years. However, I will not support any proposals that risk undermining our academic excellence and the success of our students.
Sacramento State is at the forefront of notable evolutionary initiatives. At the same time, this might be viewed as a contradiction to the budget cuts we are being asked to undertake. Many of these new initiatives are being supported by external funding sources. An update will be provided at a town hall meeting sponsored by the University Budget Office in Fall 2024. We will continue to explore and pursue innovative funding streams so that we can offer new and forward-thinking programming.
The road ahead will require shared sacrifice, but I am confident that this crisis will reveal the resilience of our community. We have weathered financial storms before by making judicious decisions and protecting our defining strengths.
While this is undoubtedly a challenge of historic proportions, I know our talented and dedicated educators will rise to meet it. Our university's bright future remains, and we will get through this together.
Carlos Nevarez,
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)
