Frequently Asked Questions - Fiscal Year 2010

Dartmouth's FY2010 budget reconciliation process

On Feb. 9, 2009, Dartmouth announced a budget-reconciliation plan to decrease its $700 million operating budget for fiscal year 2010 by $72 million. A number of steps were taken; this page contains frequently asked questions about the fiscal 2010 budget process. Find frequently asked questions about the fiscal 2011 budget here.

The Budget

• How has the world financial crisis affected Dartmouth?
  February 9, 2009
• What is Dartmouth’s “Budget Reconciliation Plan”?
  February 9, 2009
• What are Dartmouth’s budget priorities?
  February 9, 2009
• What are the major components of the $47 million in reductions to the College-only budget?
  February 9, 2009
• Will these reductions get the College through this financial crisis?
  February 13, 2009
• Who is in charge of the budget process for Dartmouth?
  February 13, 2009

Reduction in Force

• How many people will be laid off as a result of the reduction in force?
  February 9, 2009
• Where can affected employees get more information about how the reduction in force impacts them?
  February 9, 2009
• Will there be salary increases for Dartmouth employees next year?
  February 9, 2009
• Will you be releasing any information on those staff members who were laid off or whose hours were reduced?
  February 13, 2009
• With most salaries frozen for 2010, will benefit costs be frozen as well?
  February 13, 2009
• Will any staff promotions be considered for next year, and will salaries increase for those receiving promotions?
  February 13, 2009
• Will retirement benefits be affected by the salary freeze? Will the 7% special benefit for exempt staff over age 40 continue?
  February 13, 2009
• What are the layoff benefits for departing staff members?
  February 13, 2009
• How are employees affected by the reduction in force being informed?
  February 13, 2009
• When will affected employees stop working?
  February 13, 2009
• How many eligible employees chose the early retirement incentive, and did the response help in terms of reducing the number of layoffs?
  February 13, 2009
• Are union employees affected?
  February 13, 2009
• Why are staff members being laid off, rather than cutting programs and services?
  February 13, 2009
• How were the decisions made about whom to lay off?
  February 13, 2009
• What is the status of the external hiring freeze instituted in November 2008?
  February 13, 2009
• What about those who weren’t laid off? Will they be asked to take on more work? If so, will they be compensated for that work?
  February 13, 2009
• Does the salary freeze announced February 9 apply to all Dartmouth employees, or to staff only?
  February 17, 2009

The Endowment

• Why not spend more of the endowment instead of laying off employees?
  February 9, 2009
• What is an “underwater” endowment? How does it affect the value of the endowment?
  February 13, 2009
• Does Dartmouth employ sound investment strategies? How does Dartmouth’s endowment loss compare with that of peer institutions?
  February 17, 2009

Student Life

• Will the budget situation have an impact on tuition or financial aid?
  February 9, 2009
• What specific facilities or services are impacted by reductions-in-hours, and when do those changes take effect?
  February 13, 2009
• Will Dartmouth be cutting any athletic programs or varsity sports?
  February 13, 2009
• Is increasing the student body an option for increasing revenues?
  February 17, 2009

Facilities

• Why is Dartmouth still constructing or renovating buildings?
  February 9, 2009

General Questions

• How can I submit a question about the budget reductions?
  February 9, 2009
• What is the source for accurate information on Dartmouth’s budget?
  February 13, 2009
• How can I help?
  February 13, 2009

Visit Thayer’s Financial Outloook Q&A for questions and answers specific to the Thayer School of Engineering