FAQ:

What is the extent of the current budget cuts?
We have already cut 4.5%, and we are preparing for another reduction—of 3% or greater for the fiscal year of July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
Will we experience any more budget cuts?
We are preparing for a 14% reduction in the next biennium. This additional cut will be on top of the cuts we will have already made over the past eighteen months. This request would reduce the CSN budget by more than $14.5 million per year.
What strategies are we employing to manage these cuts?
To meet the state’s direction for the next biennium, 2009-11, I am announcing that we plan to close the following learning centers on June 30, 2009:
- Boulder City
- A.D. Guy
- Downtown (Latin Chamber)
- Moapa
- Lincoln County
- West Sahara
We have issued the proper notices, and we have met with and will be working with the employees who potentially will be impacted by this decision. CSN will follow the NSHE professional and the rules of state classified system as they apply to these employees.

We have also authorized the issuance of notices of non-renewal to a few other professional employees in areas that are not part of the instructional core of CSN.
Effective June 30, 2008 the following actions are being prepared:
- Begin a transition of 35 positions to fee-based or non-state accounts
- Eliminate approximately 58 vacant faculty and staff positions
- Reduce the part-time instructional budget
- Reduce operating budgets
We are also working through the previously announced buy-out program and early retirement programs, and again encourage those who may be interested in those options to contact the Human Resources Department.
Our hiring moratorium remains in effect.

We will begin this fall a systematic process of program review and retrenchment to meet budget requirements.

Registration fees for students will increase by 4.6% in FY 2008-09 over the current year, and we have levied a registration surcharge of $2.75 per credit hour to address the revenue shortfall and sustain services.
Are there other options we may explore in the future?
We continue to analyze dozens of alternatives as we monitor statewide budget discussions and decisions. Fortunately, we have the flexibility within the system to address these cuts as we think best.
Are layoffs possible?
Pursuant to personnel policies at NSHE, and the state personnel system, a few, selected notices of non-reappointment and layoffs have been issued to non-teaching personnel. We will be working individually with these employees and assisting where we can with their transition.
How will students be impacted?
Drastic cuts change CSN fundamentally and, perhaps, irrevocably. We are all working to minimize the impact of the cuts while we protect the College’s core academic mission to provide quality instruction and services to students. Yet, decisions must be made even now to preserve that mission.

By our estimate, and without other interventions, these actions will reduce CSN’s FTE by nearly 2,100 students or 4,200 headcount. The expenditure reduction for the cuts alone is estimated at $3.6 million for next biennium. Hence, the impact on student access is significant as the cuts begin.
How will this affect our mission?
We are all working to minimize the impact of the cuts while we protect the College’s core academic mission to provide quality instruction and services to students. Yet, decisions must be made even now to preserve that mission. This reduction in CSN’s workforce, operating budgets and student access will profoundly affect our college, our operations, organizational structures, and programs. Please know that we are being deliberative in these efforts in order to minimize impacts to the College.
Will budget cuts impact tenure?
It is not expected that current tenure-track, teaching faculty will be impacted by these cuts; but the hiring freeze will suspend the addition of new tenure-track, teaching faculty until the budget crisis is over. Tenured teaching faculty will continue in their positions as per their contracts.
What options for raising funds are we exploring?
The CSN Foundation is working hard to raise funds from non-state sources as are individual faculty and the administration.
What can I do now and in the future?
Faculty can maintain the high standards CSN has always prided itself on and can maintain the sense of family that sustains not only our work environment, but also our interpersonal relationships.

State leaders are eager to hear from faculty and students and are open to their input; as such faculty are encouraged to write their legislators and the governor to express their views as constituents.

Faculty Senate will be working to help maintain open communication channels within the college and to provide feedback on budget cutting strategies.

If students are seeking guidance for political involvement, please direct them to the student government offices.

Dr. Michael D. Richards
CSN President

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past months, I have expressed to you the dire funding situation CSN faces in light of the ever-growing state deficit. CSN is facing financial challenges that will be painful and will change our mission, particularly regarding student access to education and training. Please know that we are being deliberative in these efforts in order to minimize impacts to the College. I will continue to promptly communicate developments and decisions as they are made. We will continue to strive to protect our core mission and deliver high quality instruction and services that our citizens and students expect from CSN.