biobioprof said:
Rex Racer said:
Rex Racer said:
22%? I was told 12% by someone up the totem pole there...
Going by what my Director said this morning. He may be off. It's all available on the web, though.
Looks more like 17% of total revenue, based on the budget. Unless I'm reading that wrong.
And this says 20%. But that's a flyer, not official.
Whatever the actual number, I believe that just citing a % is pretty meaningless. If I get a new grant that allows me to hire some more research assistants, that lowers the % of state funding overall, but does little to reduce the part of the budget that pays faculty and support staff. If anything, it increases the work load for the staff. Maybe the IDC return helps somewhat but State funds will be involved when an academic advisor is needed to replace someone who leaves.
At the other end of the pay scale, we are currently searching for a Provost, and the VC/Dean for Ag is stepping down. Does the freeze affect those positions? Pretty sure those involve State funds.
But it's all OK because the TMF will cover the new defensive backs coach.
I get you're bitter that athletics can hire but academics can't. It's not true though. Athletics is using non-state money to hire the football staff. Academics can hire just as athletics can, as you note regarding receipt of a new research grant. Athletics is not bound to the hiring freeze in the same way you aren't. They can't hire new administrative staff or support staff that is paid by the state any more than you can. For what it's worth, the Texas A&M Foundation provided the University with more than $100 million for academic activities last year. The 12th Man Foundation doesn't raise REMOTELY as much for athletics.
The fact is that the State is facing a $3 BILLION budget shortfall. On a $140 billion budget, it's not all that much, but it's still a lot of money. I'd hate to be a legislator. Over 1/3 of the State budget goes healthcare. 25% goes to Education. Pensions (including TRS) account for 13% and none of the other categories reach double digit percentages. There's just not a lot of room to move around. The budget looks better for next year, so maybe the legislators will be willing to dip in to the rainy day fund. I see this freeze as a preventative measure, not a "the sky is falling" measure.
We've got to find a way to get a handle on the healthcare costs. That's what is killing us.