USM faculty still pondering its budget cuts - Noel K. Gallagher, Press Herald

A week after unveiling a 27-point plan as an alternative to deep cuts in faculty, staff and programs at the University of Southern Maine, the Faculty Senate is still soliciting ideas and has not attached dollar figures to specific proposals. The Faculty Senate president says layoffs are a possibility as his group seeks $14 million in savings. This September 2010 file photo shows the University of Southern Maine's Portland campus. A week after unveiling a 27-point plan as an alternative to deep cuts in faculty, staff and programs at the University of Southern Maine, the Faculty Senate is still soliciting ideas and mulling how best to make $14 million in budget cuts. “The 27-point discussion was a starting point,” Faculty Senate President Jerry LaSala said after a closed committee meeting Friday afternoon where the plan was discussed. “This is going to be a far-ranging examination of absolutely everything.” http://www.pressherald.com/news/USM_faculty_still_pondering_its_budget_cuts.html