Positions left vacant at Idaho State

POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State University will heavily scrutinize hiring and other costs while bracing for the possibility of more cuts in state spending, a finance administrator on the Pocatello campus said.

The university has about 70 vacant positions and will fill only “high priority” jobs critical to the operation and mission of the eastern Idaho school, said James Fletcher, ISU vice president for finance and administration.

Gov. Butch Otter ordered virtually all state agencies, including public universities, in September to shave 1 percent from their budgets and hold another 1.5 percent in reserves. On Tuesday, Otter spokesman Jon Hanian said the governor is considering another round of spending cuts amid further declines in state revenue.

ISU responded to Otter’s September directive with a $1.8 million holdback in spending.

Fletcher was among university administrators who met with faculty on Monday to discuss future cuts they are prepared to make if there are additional state spending reductions.

“We want to be in the position that, if the cutback is worse, we have already done the planning,” Fletcher said.

University administrators are writing plans to deal with potential 5 percent and 7.5 percent holdbacks, the Idaho State Journal reports. The 5 percent holdback would amount to $3.8 million of the university’s $77.3 million yearly budget, while the 7.5 percent would total $5.5 million.

The university also is looking to clamp down on phone and equipment costs, meals and gifts employees expense to the school and the number of faculty members being sent to conferences, Fletcher said. Last year, 23 university employees attended a conference in San Francisco when fewer could have gone and saved money, he said.

“What we would like to do is get through this economic crisis without sending out pink slips,” Fletcher said.

University President Arthur Vailas said he plans to give faculty monthly updates on the school’s financial status.

“Some people are going to have to tighten because they’re on the verge of crossing that line,” Vailas said Monday.