University administrators report to Texas Senate

University officials spoke before the state Senate Finance Committee in Austin on Thursday to provide updates on the University’s cost cutting measures as the committee plans this year’s budget.

University President Rodney Mabry spoke about how the University is working to cut expenses through the recently instituted energy management plan, flexible hiring freeze and curtailment of travel and equipment expenses, Gregg Lassen, vice president for business affairs, said.

Lassen also said the energy conservation effort is working well so far.

“People are turning the lights off when they leave for lunch,” he said.

The emergency management plan included adjusting thermostats, shutting off lights in unused areas of campus buildings and reducing the number of appliances being used on campus, Lassen said.

LOOKING AHEAD

Lassen said the University’s long-term priorities have not changed in spite of the current financial situation.

“We realize we’re not immune to the national economic situation,” Lassen said. “Some institutions are laying off employees. So far, we have not had to do that.”

At Tuesday’s University Council meeting, Lassen told faculty members that the small sacrifices he is asking people to make now could prevent larger sacrifices later.

“When a family has a financial hardship they don’t sell the children,” he said. “They look for other ways to make ends meet. They also may not have any more children for a while.”

He also said it is still too early to know the full impact the State Legislative session will have on higher education spending. Lassen said university enrollment typically increases during economic downturns as the unemployed seek better job opportunities through obtaining a degree.

He said the effect the economy has on University students is still unknown, as some may believe they can’t afford to stay in school.

CONNECTION WITH TEACHERS

Lassen said Thursday’s meeting was also “an opportunity for university presidents to discuss what makes their institutions unique.” “We all do different things,” he said. “While we’re still growing in research areas, we’re not in the same category as UT at Dallas or Austin.” He said the University is more focused on being a “high quality teaching campus.”

“Flag-ship schools may have world renowned professors, but they are often locked away in laboratories,” Lassen said. He said UT Tyler is unique because of the level of interaction students have with tenured professors.