- Daij University of Nebraska-Lincoln . . . W; Tuesday, January 12, 1982 Vol. 108 No. 2 Lincoln, Nebraska Copyright 1982 Daily Ncbraskunfl ..'7-. '"-r ' . ' - 4 V ; ',U - 42ft , , ' ':'' Thone pares university budget 5 y : - tV; mi.? Photo by Dave Bentz Gov. Charles Thone By Mclinda Norris Gv. Charles Thone recommended a 5.9 percent in crease in the NU operations budget when he presented the executive budget to the Nebraska legislature Monday. The increase would add $8,331,969 to the university's 198 1 -82 fiscal budget, making the final recommendation $149,410,833. "I have always believed that it was essential to provide adequate support for the university," Thone said. "I un derstand that the university's contributions to our eco nomic and cultural well-being are essential, and must be continued." Realizing his recommendation is $19.6 million less than was requested by the NU Hoard of Regents, Thone said his budget "will not permit the university to do all that it might wish. "The university will also have to pay the price of fis cal austerity," he said. "This proposed budget is consist ent with my belief in the importance of higher education, and one which will guarantee continuity of effort and quality programs at our state university during these fi nancially troubled times." State salaries increased In calculating the increases, Thone incorporated NU President Ronald Roskens' proposal to reduce state-aided employment by 2 percent and a proposed 10 percent tui tion increase. The recommendation also includes an average increase in state employees' salaries by 5 percent. This will be ac complished by increasing the base salary by 4 percent but allowing state agency directors to give individuals in creases of up to 6 percent. Thone also reaffirmed funding for the university's pro posed veterinary school by allotting $1,308,352 for capi tal construction. The reaffirmation was made with the understanding that actual construction will not proceed until federal and private funding is available and other states have fully agreed to the project. In 1981, the legislature allotted the SI. 3 million tor the project, but Thone iccommcndcd during the Novem ber special session that it be eliminated for fiscal year 1981-82 because it would not be needed before the next year. Thone kepi his promise to include the proposal in his 1982-83 budget. Other construction In other capital construction recommendations, Thone allotted $575,000 for the construction of an incinerator at the NU Medical Center; $250,000 for life safety, energy conservation and classroom renovation; and $124,400 for preliminary planning of the proposed Animal Science Complex. The governor noted that his recommendation for the university is in a lump-sum format. "The regents have the constitutional right and duty to allocate the stale general fund appropriation and other revenue sources among the campuses and functions." Thone said . The introduction of the executive budget to the Legis lature is the beginning of the budget process. Thone's rec ommendations will be referred to the nine-member Ap propriations Committee for analysis. Following a public hearing and testimony from state agencies, citizens and the Legislature's fiscal staff, the appropriations committee will report the appropriation bills out of committee with amendments of its own. At that time, the Legislature will debate and review the budget with the final outcome being its passage and deliv ery to the governor for his signature or veto. r ropose dNU cutbacks disappoint university official, state senators t ' a y f . y i A university official and two state senators expressed disappointment with Gov. Charles Thone's budget recommen dations for the university announced Mon day morning in the Nebraska Legislature. "The governor's recommendations for support of the university fall far short of those requested by the (NU) Board of Regents, so we are obviously disappoint ed," Steve Sample, NU executive vice presi dent for academic affairs, said. "However, we respect the difficult assignment facing the governor as he con fronts anticipated state resources and the competing requests for allocations from those resources. "Sacrifices, of course, will have to be made by ail institutions and individuals; however, we hope that in the near future the economy will improve and more ade quate levels of support for public higher education will find enthusiastic accept ance," Sample said. Sen. Steve Fowler of Lincoln said the governor's budget is "far too low." "I think it's the most devastating pro posal for the university in 10 years," Fowler said. The proposal doesn't allow for increas ing faculty salaries, which already were hurt by cutbacks mandated during the special legislative session in November. Sen. Jerome Warner of Waverly said he advocates a slightly higher increase for the university than does Thone. But based on current revenues, he said, the university budget probably will not be raised by more than 5 to 7 percent. "Because of the uniqueness of this year (the emphasis on budget), I haven't settled on an ideal figure in my mind," Warner said. WMmm:. j Daily Nebraskan file photo Steve Sample CFA to examine budget requests from fee-users By Mike Patras The Committee for Fees Allocation will begin examining budget requests of the stu dent fee-users this week. Inside Tuesday Three for the Road: Three state senators are offering bills to stiffen up penalties for driving while intoxicated . . . Page 2 Failed Field: Book Critic David Wood calls Evan Field's What Xigel Knew "super fluous trash" Page 8 Handy Man: Nebraska guard Handy John son is one of two junior college recruits who followed Assistant Coach Charlie Spoonhour to Lincoln from Southeast ern Iowa Community College. . Page 10 Jim Frohman, committee chairman, said "that if the initial budget requests are ap proved, there would be an estimated $11.14 increase in student fees for the 1982-83 academic year." He said all student fee users, excluding the State Student Assoication, requested more fees than last year. The fee determination process began last semester with informational hearings involving each of the fee-users. At these hearings the fee-users explained last year's budget and its current operating budget. CFA uses this background information to make an informed fee allocation. Each of the seven fee-users - the Daily Nebraskan, the recreation department, ASUN, SSA, the University Program Coun cil, the University Health Center and the Nebraska Union - turned in its budget re quests at the end of first semester. Student fees for the 1981-82 academic year are $75.50 per person, divided into Fund A and Fund B. Fund A, $4.49, is shared between ASUN, the Daily Nebras kan, UPC and SSA. Fund B allocations, $71 .01 , are given to the health center, the recreation department and the unions. According to Frohman, CFA has more control over Fund A users' budgets, which are basically student organizations. The budgets of Fund A users need the approval of the chancellor. With Fund B organizations, CFA plays an advisory role. CFA advises the chancel lor through the Vice Chancellor for Stu dent Affairs, Dr. Richard Armstrong. Fund B users' budgets need the approval of both the chancellor and the NU Board of Re gents. "The initial budget requests will raise Fund A an estimated 76 cents," Frohman said, "and Fund B will raise an estimated $1038." The first budget hearing will be Thurs day at 6:30 pjn. in the Nebraska Union with the Daily Nebraskan. The last hearing will be Feb. 4 with the Health Center. The fee-user will explain its requests at each meeting. After its meeting CFA sub committees will meet and draw up initial recommendations for the users. Then the CFA as a whole will consider the recom mendation and decide on the first alloca tion. After CFA informs the user of the deci sion, the user may appeal the decision on either Feb. 9, 11 or 16. After the hearing and appeal process, the final allocation is presented to ASUN for approval. The senate's approved version is sent to the chancellor, who has the final approval of Fund A user's budgets. After the chancellor approves Fund B budgets, they are sent to the regents, who make the final decision on all Fund B budgets.