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It was a relief Friday to hear the University of Maine System managed to almost completely close its $15.1 million budget gap and will not have to resort to layoffs or furlough days to save money.
Though the financial situation remains dire, and the system still plans to restructure in order to save money in the long term, the immediate financial problems at six of the seven universities have been solved.
The University of Southern Maine, for example, cut back on maintenance, library purchases and travel expenses. While it is regrettable such actions had to be taken, and building maintenance and library patrons will surely suffer, it is much preferable to forcing low-paid hourly employees to give up any, or all, of their precious paychecks.
It is also admirable that many senior system and university officials – such as the chancellor, vice chancellors, presidents and vice presidents – have agreed to work five unpaid days in the next five months. Though their sacrifice will probably mean little in the long run, it is refreshing to see an employer sacrifice before making employees suffer.
Thanks to the willingness of all parties to compromise and the ingenuity of university presidents to find areas capable of handling budget cuts, the system has escaped what could have been a catastrophic situation for its workers,
