The Board of Trustees will approve a plan today that will drastically cut the Macalester budget.

Earlier this year, the Task Force on Budget (TFOB) asked each area of Macalester to find ways to reduce its budget by six percent. The decision of how to change the budget was left up to each individual department. Within Academics, cuts varied for each department, but averaged about six percent. The International Studies department had the most severe cuts.

The chief reason for the budget changes is the depletion of Macalester's endowment and an increase in financial aid spending. While the budget has grown at a rate of about five percent over the past few years, the changes will slow that rate to about one percent next year, according to Provost Dan Hornbach.

According to Treasurer Dave Wheaton, since the markets are not likely to improve in the following years, the plan to reduce spending will probably not be isolated to this year. "We're thinking about this over several years," said Wheaton. "We're trying to be thoughtful about this because it's not a one-year trend."

Dean of Students Laurie Hamre agreed that although this year has been a trying one, the financial future could be equally grim. "This year was more difficult because we've never really had to cut back," said Hamre. "[However,] next year when we're faced with the same crisis, we're not sure we could make the same changes."

This year's changes include a variety of logistical and supply alterations, such as reductions in software for faculty computers, less money for posters, and decreased travel costs for faculty. "Most of the eliminations we saw were on the edges," said Wheaton. "We're trying to do more with less and do things more intelligently."

Laurie Hamre said she is "not sure that students will feel the pinch." However, this year's changes will likely include an increase in student payment for Senior week, a reduction in activities for Health Services' Spa Night, and the elimination of the Scottish County Fair.

Future changes on campus could include fewer speakers brought to campus, fewer events sponsored by Residential Life and reduced funding for student organizations. "Students that get direct service from an activity may need [to pay] direct money for that activity," Hamre said.

Another possible method for efficient spending at Macalester is to change the admissions procedures for International Students. Although International Students admissions are non-need blind, due to lack of FAFSA loans, students from other countries often require a significant amount of financial aid.

Since there have been record rates of international students' attendance at Macalester in recent years, a considerable burden has been placed on the Financial Aid office. By reducing the number of International students by about fifty per class over the course of the next few years, David Wheaton said that Macalester could improve its financial situation and "still have geographical diversity."

Termination of staff employment may be an attractive option in attempts to help the budget. "We've tried hard not to have staff layoffs," said Laurie Hamre. "Our staff is so lean that if we had to cut any positions, students would notice directly."

The number of faculty positions, on the other hand, will probably be reduced. The student faculty ratio is currently reported at 10:1. In the years ahead, that ratio could change to 11:1. "We will likely decrease the number of faculty in order to keep faculty salaries competitive," wrote Provost Dan Hornbach via e-mail. "If we could remain competitive [in salary pay] without reducing the size, then we wouldn't be cutting the size of the faculty."

Hornbach believes that the changes will not be detrimental to the academic quality of Macalester. "11:1 is still very competitive," wrote Hornbach. "I have indicated that I [would] rather have fewer high quality faculty than a greater number of faculty who might be of lower quality."

Macalester is not alone in its financial woes. Stanford University in California has recently opted to freeze all salaries in order to help finances. Other institutions such as Duke, Dartmouth and Oberlin are also having problems with their endowments.

Nevertheless, President Michael McPherson is confident that Macalester will persevere through its financial strain. "Our main goal in making the budget adjustments that we've made is to preserve our core commitments and make sure that our students can continue to receive our very special kind of education, which is more important than ever these days," he said.

"We also know that these tough budgetary times will be with us for at least several more years, so we'll have to work hard to maintain this focus and these commitments through more challenging years ahead."

"Macalester is still a financially sound place," Wheaton said.