Ramapo College Considers Budget Cuts to Control Tuition Costs and Make Up For Drop in State Aid

(Mahwah) – Cuts in administrative costs and operating expenses at Ramapo College of New Jersey will be necessary to offset a decrease in state aid and control tuition costs for the 2002-2003 fiscal year beginning July 1, the college’s new president said today.

Dr. Rodney Smith, who was inaugurated earlier this month as Ramapo’s third president, said the liberal arts college also is weighing restrictions on new hiring at a time when demand for enrollment at the four-year public college is growing.

"The task before us is extremely difficult," said Dr. Smith. "The state has asked public colleges in New Jersey to do more with less at a time of unprecedented demand from state residents for a four-year college education."

"While we recognize fully the state’s obligation to its taxpayers," Dr. Smith said, "we are also aware of our obligation to our students and their families to maintain a level of academic standard that is both innovative and affordable."

"We are looking at a broad range of budget cuts and conservation measures that will help us control tuition costs while at the same time enable us to maintain, or even expand, our educational offerings," Dr. Smith said.

• Hiring restrictions and reduction of overtime
• Staff consolidation, retirements and voluntary furloughs
• Energy conservation and price pooling
• Reduction of emergency reserves
• Cuts to funds for equipment, travel and training
• Deferral of new equipment purchases
• Reduction of advertising and publications budgets

"The cuts being considered will be difficult," Dr. Smith warned. "They amount to approximately $1 million and come at a time when the demand for student services and on-campus housing is sharply increasing and the budget has already been trimmed by over $1.5 million dollars. "Any reduction," Smith said, "is painful given that Ramapo College already receives less in appropriations than any of the four-year residential state institutions.“

"As we continue to move forward through this process,” Smith said, “we want to assure our students, faculty and friends that academic standards at Ramapo College will not be jeopardized.“