Over the current 2014-2015 fiscal year, the Louisiana Revenue Estimating Conference met and confirmed that significant oil-price driven shortfalls is expected. Due to this shortcoming, the state budget has been negatively affected which led to a $103 million shortfall and a projected $1.6 billion shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. 

During the annual fall convocation for faculty and staff that took place on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, President John L. Crain mentioned the possibility of a faculty and staff raise. Due to the unexpected budget crisis, currently a raise is not possible because of state fiscal instability.

According to an email release by President John L. Crain on Feb. 13, “Given current fiscal uncertainties, I believe we must defer action until the state budget picture becomes clear. While I realize this is disappointing for everyone, circumstances dictate that we proceed cautiously and exercise fiscal prudence.”

With the delay of giving the faculty and staff a raise, the Administration and Finance are also preparing for the upcoming fiscal year. 

“While plans to meet the reductions in the current fiscal year did not include reductions to higher education, we must exercise extreme caution as we move through the final months of the fiscal year should something change,” said Vice President of Administration and Finance Sam Domiano. “Delaying such actions also provide time to better understand the impact to higher education for the upcoming fiscal year.”

The faculty and staff of Southeastern are not the only ones feeling the repercussions of the state budget shortfall. Erin Cowser, the director of Public and Governmental Affairs, encourages the students and supporters of Southeastern to speak up to legislators about higher education as they prepare a course of action. 

“Our resources in terms of travel, supplies, maintenance and personnel continue to be severely strained,” said Cowser. “As always, we are being extremely prudent with the finances we do have. The unfortunate postponement of raises is one example of the precautions we must take when facing the possibility of millions more in state funding cuts next year.”

With The midyear budget reductions were approved by the legislative committee on Friday with a green light to Governor Bobby Jindal’s plan to close a the midyear budget gap. As of now, these plans do not appear to include reduction for higher education. Jindal’s budget proposal to be released on Friday will include long-term budget proposals.