CSUN University News Clippings

UCI might close early to save money

(August 12, 2009)

by Gary Robbins
Published: 8/11/09

UC Irvine, which must cut $77 million to help balance the state budget, is considering closing the campus early for the Christmas holiday to cut costs.

Virtually all employees must take unpaid furloughs as part of a larger plan by the UC system to save money.

UCI Chancellor Michael Drake says on the university’s website:

Dear Colleagues:

We invite you to comment on UC Irvine’s draft proposal for managing time off related to the furlough/salary-reduction program that becomes effective Sept. 1.

* Close campus Dec. 21, 2009-Jan. 1, 2010: This would extend our standard holiday closure practice by three days. Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1 would remain paid university holidays; the six remaining days (Dec. 21-23 and 28-30) would not be paid holidays, and eligible employees would be encouraged to take them as furlough days.

* Close campus March 25, 2010: This precedes the March 26 Cesar Chavez holiday, creating a four-day weekend. Again, eligible employees would be encouraged to take March 25 as a furlough day.

Please submit your comments to budget@uci.edu by Aug. 12, 2009. Represented employees should submit comments to their union representatives. You are also welcome to share your comments and suggestions at the Budget Town Hall noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, in the Student Center Pacific Ballroom C and D.

Chancellor Michael Drake

Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost Michael Gottfredson

The letter above is likely to receive mixed reaction. Last week, a group of UCI professors issued a letter suggesting a different approach, saying that the state income tax should be increased to preserve the core of the UC system.

Publication: Orange County Register