ISU secretaries, clerks and custodians are not exempt from recent budget cuts, and could be more affected than students. Some are at a risk of losing their jobs. 

So far, almost 90 positions have been eliminated as a result of the recent budget cuts, and more are at risk due to the potential for even more cuts for 2011. Although many employees struggle with layoffs, many are also forced to relocate to new departments or jobs within the university when their position is terminated.

The process of budget reduction began in 2009 and will end with a total of $72 million in reductions with $16.7 million this year alone if Gov. Terry Branstad’s 2012 budget plan pulls through, said ISU President Gregory Geoffrey in a statement.

The Iowa House of Representatives also recently approved a substantial state spending reduction that will cut $10 million from regents schools for 2011 and $5 million for 2012.

However, because the budget has not yet been solidified, it is difficult for administrators to predict how employees will be affected.

“It’s one of the things we’re trying to acknowledge and trying to understand with all of the things going on,” said Ellen Rasmussen, associate vice president for budget and planning, in regard to reorganization of employees. “We probably aren’t going to know until April, so that just means that our planning extends on a little bit longer.”

Rasmussen was unable to give a prediction as to what the outcome of last year’s cuts will be. The process or reorganization as a result of last year’s cuts is still in progress and should be finalized sometime in April, but until then, she can only speculate.

“I am told that by the time it is all done, 100 people will be affected,” Rasmussen said. “That doesn’t mean that 100 people will be laid off, it just means that they will be affected by the budget reductions last year.”