Story Proposal #1

Hiring Freeze and the effects on University Employment
Governor Christine Gregoire plans on saving $90 billion from the state budget after a $6 million defecit for the two-year budget. In an August 4 memo, Gregoire ordered Washington agencies and colleges to freeze hiring and reduce costs on travel and equipment. President Elson S. Floyd instituted a slowdown in administrative and professional hiring by the university in late April. Since the announcement, President Floyd has limited WSU’s staff recruitment efforts and has focused only on hiring employees deemed essential to university operations.
Since Gregoire’s initial announcement, Washington State officials are projecting a 5 billion dollar deficit for the next two-year budget. Governor, Christine Gregoire says this could increase to 6 billion due to the deteriorating economy. Gregoire has asked the state’s colleges and universities to prepare for a 20 percent budget cut, or 600 million over the next two years.
The hiring freeze on the Washington State University campus has resulted in less employment opportunities for new faculty and students. Even if a student is lucky enough to be employed by the University, scheduled hours have been limited.
Possible Sources:
1. Joan King, Executive Director of Budget and Planning
2. Madeline Verochio, University Relations Assistant

How budget cuts are affecting Dining Service’s University Catering
For the last two years, Washington State University’s annual allocation for its operating budget was $254 million. Gregoire’s proposed budget (announced in December) recommends cutting that figure by 12 percent ($31 million). As a result, the University announced a budget cut in November which totaled $4.47 million, which includes a $2.5 million cut in the academic budget. This has brought the total budget cut to $10.5 million for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
As a result of the economic crisis, the University Budget Committee (co-chaired by President Elson S. Floyd and Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick M. Bayly) has requested that all campus chancellors and administrative vice presidents to prepare a 12 percent budget restriction scenario for their areas.
Due to budget cuts made in November, many departments had to cancel their holiday events, causing University Catering to lose money. Now that budget cuts are inevitable once the Legislature approves the budget, other events and conferences are sure to be cancelled as well, leaving Catering even more financially insecure. What are the effects of department budget cuts on University Catering and what it the outlook for the University’s catering business?
Possible Sources:
1. Rosita Sandell, Catering Manager
2. Amy Gibson, Catering Coordinator
3. Shawn Hoch, Executive Director of Dining Services