ISU President Gregory Geoffroy spoke to the Faculty Senate about the university’s major challenges this year.

In Geoffroy’s first address to the ISU Faculty Senate Tuesday night, he said the budget cuts pose the major challenge to Iowa State this year.

“We do have major challenges to address – most notably is the budget,” he said.

Budget cuts have been a major topic of concern among Faculty Senate members who fear the loss of more positions.

“Because the budgets are being cut, we are having to decrease the number of faculty and staff,” Geoffroy said.

He said the new enrollment figures show 1,000 more students at Iowa State compared with last year’s figures.

With enrollment up and the budget cuts, faculty and staff are questioning whether certain classes will be available or if the amount of students in each class will be too high.

Geoffroy did speak on a positive note. He said the university has had another record year in grant and contract awards.

“I am certainly pleased to see a continuing stream of national recognition,” Geoffroy said.

To take a of grasp on the budget issues, Geoffroy has appointed a Task Force of Strategic Effectiveness and Budget Priority.

The members of this task force will consist of faculty members, staff and students.

These members will be asked to “develop recommendations to deal with whatever budget challenges come our way this year,” Geoffroy said. “We are going to continue to face significant budget challenges for another year or so.”

Another major issue at the meeting was about a Non-tenure Track Task Force.

David Hopper, interim secretary of the Faculty Senate, proposed “it be resolved that the Faculty Senate reaffirm the imperative of the tenure system by urging the university to maintain its long-term commitment to teaching, research and extension being conducted by tenure and tenure-track faculty.”

Many motions involving this issue were brought before the senate. The final discussions and decisions will roll over to the next meeting, which will be in October.