PASCAL News | Funding Concerns for PASCAL |
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The
downturn in expected state revenues has greatly affected the budget for higher
education, and in particular PASCAL is faced with a devastating budget
situation. The Commission on Higher Education had proposed an increase to $2.5
million, and had argued strongly to have this line transferred to recurring
funds. However, the House has not included any funding for the PASCAL request
in FY2008-9, and the Senate has approved a recommendation of $200,000 in
recurring funds. PASCAL is in a relatively fortunate position in terms of
carry-forward funds, which will help us preserve important elements of the
Statewide Electronic Library programs, but these funds will not sustain our
entire program.
The
Board of Directors, CHE and others are working on responses to this problem, but
the situation is very fluid. As a consequence of this turbulence, it’s not
possible to put together a meaningful operational budget in time to present it
for consideration at the general meeting scheduled for May 15. Consequently,
the board voted yesterday to reschedule the meeting for Thursday, June
19.
In the
meantime, the board will be meeting regularly to work on a plan to sustain as
much of our programming as is feasible. The board and other PASCAL committees
will be soliciting input from libraries as well as reporting on the situation.
We know that member libraries will need information regarding potential impacts
for your budget planning, and we’ll be communicating regarding the status of
specific resources shortly.
The
$200,000 in recurring funds that is in the Senate budget is an important element
in our planning, and it is important to communicate through channels that are
appropriate to your situation that it is vital to the long term health of our
academic libraries that it remain in the budget. Please don’t hesitate to contact me, or any of your representatives on the board of directors, if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns.
-- SHARED ACCESS. UNLIMITED KNOWLEDGE.
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