President John D. Welty announced today (Oct. 23) that California State University, Fresno will take measures to reduce spending by $1.7 million, in response to budget cuts announced by the California State University system.

The measures at Fresno State include an immediate freeze of all faculty and staff vacancies and an across-the-board 3% operating budget reduction.

The Fresno State action follows instructions from Chancellor Charles B. Reed that all 23 campuses cut spending to meet the state̢۪s $31.3 million reduction of the 2008-09 CSU budget.

Welty announced the Fresno State action – developed in consultation with his Cabinet – to the campus today.

He said, “It is clear that this crisis is having an impact in the State of California, and the CSU has been informed by the state Department of Finance that it needs to cut $31.1 million from our previously authorized in the 2008-09 budget. Fresno State’s share of the reduction is $1,706,600.â€Â

Additional cuts will be made in previously approved funding for deferred maintenance, campus Plan for Excellence projects, graduate division projects and technology.

“Our University community has previously faced difficult fiscal times, and we have worked together to resolve these issues and remained focused on our academic mission to provide opportunities for our students and to serve our region,â€Â Welty said.

“Because we have been able to minimize disruption in the past few years through a spirit of cooperation and a commitment to one another, I am confident that we will work through this challenging fiscal
situation. I shall continue to work with campus leadership as we face these very difficult times,â€Â Welty said.

For more information, read President Welty̢۪s message and Chancellor Reed̢۪s message.