June 3, 2009

Dear members of the campus community,

As you may have read in media reports today, the University of New Hampshire has announced staff layoffs and a reduction in hours. I am sure I speak for all of us in expressing concern for our colleagues at UNH during this difficult time. We at Keene State College will do everything we can to help support those affected by these unfortunate financial times.

As for our campus, we submitted a FY10 budget to the USNH Board of Trustees last week. Based on current projections, our budget does not require staff layoffs.

Governor Lynch has recommended flat funding for USNH (including one-time federal stimulus funds) for 2010, and the state legislature is expected to vote on a proposed budget by June 30. The USNH Board of Trustees will vote on budget figures for the upcoming year on June 25.

On the following day, June 26, I will hold a campus meeting at noon to update everyone on the budget situation for the upcoming fiscal year.

I am committed to keeping the College community informed during this time of economic uncertainty, and will continue to provide information as soon as it is available on this ³Budget Challenges" webpage.

Thank you for your time and patience. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting on June 26, and will send out a reminder and a location as the date approaches.

Helen F. Giles-Gee
President