Lessons from the 1930s

A document regarding budget cuts from the 1930s was disseminated to faculty senators before yesterday's Senate meeting: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/27648126/budget-issues-from-1930s
One notable difference between what was done then and what is being proposed now is that the regents voted for sliding scale paycuts: "The regents put into effect a slash of 20% on that part of any salary over $3600; of 15% on that part between $2400 and $3600; of 10% on that part between $1100 and $2400, but left without reduction salaries and wages up to and including the figure $1200 a year." Across the board furloughs are regressive, and furloughs are a temporary solution, not a fix for our budget woes. Our highly paid administrators were apparently incapable of planning for a 27th pay period in their elaborate budget models, and are scrambling to cover the $41m. The administration's 2% raise only adds to recurring costs, and will be paid for with furloughs and layoffs of staff. The budget should not be balanced on the backs of the lowest-paid members of the University community. Salary cuts should be on the table. But before faculty roll over and "take one for team," the administration must engage with us to redefine priorities, reform university governance, and provide transparent and easily interpretable data about how tuition dollars, cost pools, and state funding are being spent. Faculty veto power on the furloughs gives us an opportunity to stop business as usual and to RECLAIM THE U!