Statement from President Ruud on Retrenchment

To all members of the Ship family:

As you are well aware, the state budget picture for PASSHE and Shippensburg University is full of uncertainty. It is for this reason that the executive management team and I — in conjunction with input from students, faculty, and staff — are developing a number of contingency plans for the 2011-12 academic year.  I want to assure you that as we go through this process we are focused on our number one priority: Assuring that our students continue to receive a quality educational experience.

Among the issues is that for 2012-13, giving the level of budgetary uncertainty, retrenchment, layoffs, and furloughs cannot be ruled out.  The collective bargaining agreements between PASSHE and our several unions have provisions that require various timeframes for notification of this potential action, with which we will comply.  For example, under the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), I have sent a letter to Dr. Deborah Jacobs, President of the SU Chapter of APSCUF, notifying her of this possibility.

It is important for you to understand that no decisions will be made until we know how much state funding we will receive, combined with the tuition rate set by the PASSHE Board of Governors. We will not have that information until the end of June 2011.

Even as we plan for all possible scenarios, we are cognizant of the fact that all decisions we make — operating or personnel — will affect the lives of valued colleagues.  In this uncertain budgetary environment, people are understandably worried.  I ask that we all continue to work hard at supporting our students and making a difference. 

Communication will continue with all employee groups throughout the spring, summer, and fall until we have definite numbers and know what our 2011-2012 budget will be.  In the meantime, we will continue to keep all of our options open.

Again, all decisions will be focused on assuring that our students remain our number one priority.