The California State University system is considering furloughs for all employees to offset the projected $584 million budget reduction.
The possible furloughs would apply to all CSU faculty, staff, management and executives, with the exception of campus safety personnel, in an attempt to avoid layoffs as the CSU expects a 13.5 percent budget cut.
With mandatory two-day furloughs per month for every member for a year, the CSU would save about $275 million, according to an e-mail sent to faculty from Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander. He said that salary and benefits payments make up 80 percent of the CSU’s costs.
There were about 3,800 faculty, administration and staff at CSULB in fall 2008, according to the CSULB Web site. The CSU Web site says that the entire system had about 47,000 employees in the fall.
While on furlough, faculty will be unpaid, but will not be required to work. They would remain employed and keep their benefits.
According to the CSU Employees Union Web site, the plan requires campuses to be closed for two Fridays a month, which would also save utility costs. Student employees will also be unable to work if the campus is closed.
Unions that do not agree to furloughs would have layoffs. The website says that approximately 2,000 full-time and 3,000 temporary employees in the union could be laid off if the CSUEU does not accept the furloughs. The union represents about 16,000 CSU employees.
The California Faculty Association will meet with the CSU this week to get more details on Chancellor Charles B. Reed’s furlough proposal before the faculty vote on it.
Elizabeth Hoffman, CSULB representative CFA’s board of directors, said that it is too soon to tell the consequences of the furloughs.
“The faculty are very concerned that the decision, whatever it is, is made on the decision of access for students and quality education for students,” Hoffman said. She added that that includes making sure the universities have enough faculty and staff.
Hoffman encourages students and their families to write letters to state legislators and newspaper editors in support of the CSU.
“That’s really the only way out of this problem, is protect the CSU,” she said.
The chancellor has emphasized the importance of keeping as many classes and jobs intact as possible.
According to the CSUEU Web site, Reed said that closing campuses “is the only option that is not on the table.”
The CSU will discuss all budget options July 7 at a special board of trustees meeting at the CSU Office of the Chancellor.
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