Pres. Albrecht

Matt Stice
Pres. Albrecht

In the midst of a serious national financial crisis, USU Pres. Stan Albrecht addressed the current budget cuts Wednesday.
Due to “unprecedented world market conditions,” Albrecht stated state funds have been cut by $6.5 million over the next two fiscal years. As a solution to come up with the needed funds, each department will be cut 5.5%.
A committee has been formed headed by USU finance VP Fred Hunsaker. Each department must have their recommended 5.5% cuts to the committee by Nov. 1st for review. In fear of the effect this cut will have on students, Albrecht assured the group, “That these cuts will have no effect on everyday student life.” He continued, “That he will continue to fight for the students of USU and fight to keep tuition costs as low as they can be.”
When asked what the factors that have caused this crisis are, Albrecht stated, “That the balanced state budget did not for see the market down fall that is taking place right now.” Albrecht joked that he had heard some very simple solutions of just eliminating the football team and that would solve everyone’s problems, he assured everyone that that would not be the case. He did state that private donations will be invested into the football program to make it better.
Even with all the stress of the huge budget crisis in front of him, Albrecht was very optimistic in his address, stating over and over that students will not feel the effect of this cut, scholarships will not be lost, and tuition will not be increased due to the cuts.
Some of the things that will be placed on hold for the time being are certain capital projects, which deal with maintenance; also the search for a dean for the international program will be halted.
While in Washington DC Tuesday, Albrecht stated that he spoke with many presidents or leaders of larger universities, and they spoke of their concern, where their tuition costs were up to $40,000. “Now is the perfect time to come to Utah State.” Albrecht remarked, “If you want a great education for a very modest price, this is the place to come.”