Though rumors of 450 job cuts at Boston University circulated around campus last fall, they never materialized and probably will not any time soon. Instead, administrators kept the budget in check with administrative and faculty salary freezes. This proved a suitable tactic this year, but BU must find other ways to solve their budgetary woes in the years to come.
Avoiding the job cuts showed BU cares about its faculty, and the kind gesture also benefits students by keeping class sizes down. However, the university may have to face some job cuts if the economic situation fails to improve. Because BU has developed a strong reputation and solid relationships with its professors, one year without salary raises will not tarnish either.
However, failing to reinstate raises next year would become risky. Since most other schools will keep hiking salaries, BU would face faculty recruiting and retention problems once their pay schedules fall below those at other schools. Professors will demand their usual pay raises because they must deal with rising costs and economic difficulties just like their employer.
To combat this situation, BU must examine other ways to create revenue or lower expenses if it still wants to avoid doling out pink slips. The sciences have enjoyed enormous grants recently, and the other disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences and other colleges should market themselves better to have similar successes. For example, the College of Fine Arts could show off its orchestra and the humanities should advertise their big name professors.
While alumni donations are up 40 percent compared with last year, BU does not receive as many donations as some other schools. Many alumni feel that the administration did not care about them while they attended and have no motivation to donate once they graduate. BU needs to ensure student happiness during and after their time here.
Economic woes will not disappear overnight; they will require careful financial planning for the next few years. While BU should try to avoid job cuts for as long as possible, it must realize that jobs may become the sacrifice if other creative solutions cannot counteract a tighter budget.
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