Editorial
April 26, 2010 • By The Breeze Editorial Board,
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Way To Go — No Furlough
Due to Gov. BBob McDonnell’s budget requirements for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, all state government agencies including universities are required to have one furlough day for all employees. The state estimated the furlough day saves $560,000 in payroll to help ease a $3.5 billion budget deficit by forcing universities workers to take an unpaid vacation day.
However, JMU faculty and staff will not be required to take this furlough day. Through creative budgeting, JMU purchased this furlough day, thereby absorbing the $560,000 cost into the auxiliary funds and allowing JMU employees to continue working. The university evidently saved money by purchasing this furlough day. The state priced the furlough day at $560,000, but the cost of an actual furlough day at JMU would cost more that that estimate.
By not forcing employees to accept this budget cut, the university shows it appreciates and values its faculty and staff. It also proves JMU is making sound financial decisions in this time of economic crisis within its current budget structure. We applaud the university’s ability to find resourceful solutions in times of economic crisis. Often, talk of valuing employees and staff is just that, but with this most recent measure, JMU has shown it to be a true priority.
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