Central State University responds to budget shortfall with recruitment, retention and fundraising

WILBERFORCE, Ohio (WDTN) - Central State University announced Oct. 15, 2010, a $2.8 million shortfall for this budget year.

The University will initiate strategies to offset the deficit, which is a result of a lagging economy; a decline in the enrollment of new first-time freshmen; the inability of families to take on more debt to pay for college; the university's strategies to recruit more high achieving students, and recently announced cuts in the State Share of Instruction (SSI) to public universities.

The cost saving strategies include a hiring freeze, university holiday shutdown, unpaid furlough days, and no merit increases in 2011 for non-bargaining unit employees. The hiring freeze takes effect immediately. It will apply to full-and part-time new and currently vacant positions, those that become vacant while the freeze is in effect, and staff promotions.

The strategies for increasing revenues include securing additional grant dollars and increasing the number of new students enrolled in the Spring and Summer terms, as well as the Spring student return rate. The University has also encouraged all divisions to identify research grant dollars that might be available and implement other cost savings measures.

John W. Garland, President of Central State University said, "We can't cut our way to financial health. We must also grow enrollment, through both recruitment and retention. The shortfall is a reality that is confronting many organizations in Ohio and the nation. Our mission is vital and we are educating and graduating hundreds of students who are making an impact on our society. We must join together as a campus community to help build a solid base for growth."