By RACHEL EMERSON
Asst. News Editor
Northwestern may not be through seeing budget cuts, but staff and faculty can rest assured that they are safe from layoffs and furloughs.
Dr. Janet Cunningham, University President, called for all faculty and staff to meet on Wednesday to discuss the current budget crisis.
Cunningham discussed the budget cuts that the university has taken so far this fiscal year, as well as how they compare to the last fiscal year.
Northwestern’s FY15 appropriations were $10,241,745. This amount was cut by 3.5% for FY16 appropriations, bringing it to $8,883,284. Since then, the university has take two additional cuts of 3% and 2% respectively.
So far, the total cuts since FY16 began represent a loss of $733,340 and the total since FY15 is $1,091,810.
Another 2% cut is expected later this month. Cunningham said that the amount is not yet known, but that it could be known as early as next week.
As for the budget for the next fiscal year, Northwestern could see a cut of up to 10%. However, Cunningham said that the university is prepared to handle that and that there will be no layoffs or furloughs.
“We have reserves built up,” said Cunningham.
Northwestern is handling the cuts by reducing traveling and operating expenses, as well as supplies and operational budgets and purchases in property furniture and equipment. The university is also putting a freeze on hiring and will not fill eight open positions.
Cunningham said that the main focus moving forward is to lessen the direct impact on students as much as possible and to protect the mission of the university, which is to provide quality education. She is asking that all staff and faculty to become retention specialists in the classroom.