However, the university was prepared and was able to pass the budget for FY 10.
"We had already planned for it," said Clint Carlson, vice president of Administrative and Business Affairs . "In this budget there was a proration pool of approximately seven percent, and in addition we have adjusted transfers and expenditures for the other half of a percent. So right now we have addressed the seven and a half percent proration of almost $3 million.
Since last year, state appropriation went down 25 percent, which equates to around $12 million. According to Carlson, that cut was reduced slightly thanks to some federal stimulus money.
"Had we not received that 3.3 million dollars, we would be looking at a catastrophe to a certain degree," said Carlson.
The federal money is only available for this year and next, leading Trustee member Randall Jones to ask what is next. With no guarantee there will not be another proration, and with federal money running out, Jones said the thought of not planning ahead scares him to death.
JSU President Dr. William Meehan answered his concerns.
"Hopefully by then the economy will be on the up swing, but if not we are prepared to make changes," Meehan said. He also said that their strategic plan is putting them in great shape and where they need to be.
Joe Whitmore gave the Tustees an update on the new transit system. The buses, which are open for use by the public, started August 24th. Each bus can hold 26 people sitting with 20 more standing. They are handicap accessible as well.
Many changes have been made since day one.
"We made three changes on the routes before lunch our first day," said Whitmore. By updating and refining the routes, JSU hopes to get the best system for everybody. The blue route is goes though more of the city, as far south as Wal-mart.
The yellow route helps safely transport those who might need reliable and safe rides on weekends. According to Jacksonville Police Chief Tommy Thompson, alcohol related arrests were down from 40 in August to 12 in September. Whitmore thinks the route helped with that number.
For more information on all the routes and to see where the Gamecock Express buses are currently, visit http://jsu.transloc.com/.
The board also heard from Banyon Allison, who said he represented former football players who played for Coach Bill Burgess.
Allison said the group would like to see the field of Paul Snow Stadium named after Coach Burgess. Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Jim Bennett, said that the issue would take some time to discuss but the Board would give it serious consideration.
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