UConn Advance - January 26, 2009 - Hogan calls on managers to work a day without pay

Responding to a request from Gov. M. Jodi Rell, President Michael Hogan has urged non-unionized managers at the University to work a day without pay.

The money saved will be returned to the State.

The governor has requested that all state agency managers voluntarily take one day off, without pay. It is estimated that the State could save approximately $1 million if all executives and managers participated by taking one day of unpaid leave under the voluntary schedule reduction program.

“It is important to our University and to the state’s wellbeing that we all pitch in to help close the budget gap,” said Hogan in an e-mail to UConn’s 106 executive/administrative managerial employees.

“Every action that we can take to help meet our fiscal responsibilities in this very challenging economic period is important. Thus, I invite you to join me in taking a day’s leave without pay between now and March 1, 2009.

“I ask that in so doing every effort be made to minimize disruption of services to our students,” he added.

“Some of you have already indicated your willingness to volunteer to work the day without pay as your additional contribution to this effort. That is also my plan. Taking a day without pay will again demonstrate the strong commitment UConn and its managers have to the state.”

The governor recently wrote to all state agency heads, including the presidents of the public colleges and universities, asking that executive and managerial employees voluntarily take one day of unpaid leave before March 1. Rell has already worked a day without pay.

To date, UConn has ordered each of its departments to achieve 3.5 percent savings this year, as a result of a more than $12 million rescission in state support. Further cuts are anticipated in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

To help identify possible spending reductions and revenue enhancements, Hogan appointed a task force of faculty, staff, and administrators to study the situation and propose savings this spring.

The Costs, Operations & Revenue Efficiencies (CORE) Task Force is co-chaired by Richard Gray, vice president and chief financial officer; Barry Feldman, vice president and chief operations officer; and Peter Nicholls, executive vice president and provost.

By spring, the task force will issue a report identifying concrete avenues for cost-savings and revenue enhancements; estimating the amount of savings/revenues associated with each; suggesting a timeline over which those savings/revenues can reasonably be achieved; and outlining possible risks or disadvantages for the University and its constituencies.

Hogan calls on managers to work a day without pay

by Karen A. Grava - January 26, 2009