The University administration wants to force all staff to take unpaid furlough days, and hopes to save $13 million. Forced furloughs place an unfair burden on the lowest paid staff and faculty who are already struggling to get by, while over 250 administrators who earn more than $200,000 push the U's budget problems onto the backs of staff and students.

If the 254 University employees making over $200,000 took a five percent pay cut, the University would save $3,207,656. If those making $300,000 took an additional 5% decrease and those making over $400,000 took an additional 5%, another $867,929 could be saved. That's a total of $4,075,585.

The University Central Administration should also be required to drastically scale back the number of Vice Presidents, Senior VPs, Associate VPs, Assistant VPs, Assistant Associate VPs and other top administrators. For example, if the University reduced the top administrative positions at the U (Associate Department Director and above) by 10% the University could save another $7,755,630. The total RECURRING savings from cutting senior administrative salaries and positions would be $11,831,215.

In addition, there are models in other public institutions (Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis for example) in which voluntary furlough programs met the savings goals. If leaves are voluntary, those who can afford to take days off without pay can and will do so, while those who are most vulnerable will not be forced into financial crisis.

By electronically signing this petition, you add your voice to the many other staff and faculty telling the Board of Regents to chop from the top and to not force furloughs upon the lowest paid staff and faculty at the University.