By John Staed
Thursday, December 18, 2008

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY — Despite a recent additional 7 percent budget cut to Clemson University, steps already taken will prevent “knee-jerk reactions” and force more upheaval at the campus, its president said Wednesday.

James Barker, university president, said that despite $38 million in state budget cuts to the campus this year, the school’s response has been sufficient to prevent any layoffs or serious changes after the most-recent cut. Barker was speaking during the final faculty-staff meeting of the year at the Brooks Center.

During the event, four people were recognized for their contributions to Clemson and the public.

John Warner, a professor of economics, and Carla Rathbone, executive director of the Customer Relations and Learning Technologies Center, received the Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence for their contributions to the school.

Greg Yarrow, a professor in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, received the Alumni Award for Cooperative Extension Distinguished Public Service for his work. And, Lienne Federico Medford, associate professor of teacher education at the University Center in Greenville, received the Ralph D. Elliott Award for Outstanding Service to Off-Campus, Distance and Continuing Education.

In addressing the budget cuts, Barker acknowledged the state Budget and Control Board last week reduced revenues to state agencies by an even larger amount than was expected, 7 percent, bringing to $38 million the total cuts for the year.

To deal with that, the school has frozen most hiring, restricted travel, delayed or canceled some building programs, and ordered a five-day unpaid furlough for the 4,000 Clemson employees.

“This plan allows us to remain focused on the long run,” Barker said.

The campus has formed 11 committees, which are searching for ways to deal with revenue shortfalls now and in the future.

Barker listed 10 reasons he is proud of the school this year. These include creation of the One Clemson Relief Fund for lower-paid employees hurt by the furlough. Nearly 210 donations of a total $41,317 have been made and more than 200 people have applied for relief from the fund, he said.

Also, Clemson employees gave a record $93,000 to United Way of Pickens County this year, and the United Way in turn gave $1,000 to the furlough fund. Retired faculty members are teaching classes at no charge, he said, and demand for Clemson undergraduate and graduate degrees are up, including a 5 percent increase in freshman applications from last year. And, a recent Smart Money magazine story cited Clemson University as the No. 8 value nationally of all public and private schools, he said.