Over recent weeks there has been a growing “buzz” on campus that a committee of high-level administrators has been meeting with the purpose of formulating a plan to deal with the next round of budget cuts, if they come. These discussions are reported to have centered around the necessity to lower faculty and staff salaries, either by a permanent salary reduction or by instituting furloughs or a combination of both.

The numbers that have been anonymously reported are a 5 percent permanent budget cut and a series of furloughs equal to another 5 percent cut. A recent report in this newspaper about furlough discussions in Topeka by legislators lends credence to the Kansas University rumors.

If there is some truth to these rumors, I have several observations. First, I think it is absolutely imperative that the university plan for potential cuts and that the use of a high level committee as part of that planning process is sensible. On the other hand, I also feel that there should be extensive consultation on any such plan, consultation with faculty and staff and discussions should be practical and concrete.

Faculty and staff at KU have a right to know, as early as possible, what might be happening to their compensation so that they can have a chance to plan for any reductions. The more notice they have, the easier it will be to do such planning.

Second, I hope that those who are constructing such plans consider the idea that the degree of reduction should be tied to the level of compensation. A 5 to 10 percent cut will hit lower-paid staff and faculty much harder than those who receive higher pay, for those at lower levels will have far less discretionary income. An across-the-board cut may result in higher-paid workers cancelling vacations while lower paid workers cancel meals. Any plan devised should be one which incorporates a realistic view of faculty and staff differing economic situations.

Third, whatever reductions are put in place should affect everyone on campus, including senior administrators and the so-called “rock star” faculty who have been recruited recently, regardless of the sources from which their compensation is paid. Similarly affiliated organizations like the Athletic Association, the Endowment Association, and the Alumni Association should take the same cuts, even if not absolutely required, as a gesture of solidarity with the rest of KU. In terrible times, morale suffers greatly when some individuals or groups are exempted from sharing in the pain.

It is beginning to look like financial hard times are hardly over at KU and the other Kansas Board of Regents schools. How hard they will be psychologically will depend, in great part, on how the difficulties are shared. I hope that our senior administrators act wisely in making this decision.