The Faculty Senate and the University Council of Eastern Oregon University Request the release of the State Salary Pool of $125 million established by the 2007 Legislature to enable state agencies to cover salary increases over the 2007-09 biennium.

Legislative budget leaders decided in February to delay releasing the salary pool until after the June 2008 revenue forecast is available.

Not releasing the funds in June will reverse any progress made to increase funding for Oregon's public universities acomplished by the governor and legislature during the last legislative session.

EOU has made substantial progress during the 2007-08 academic year by reducing expenses, increasing enrollment and admissions, and reinvesting in the institutional reserves (i.e. fund balance) through an institutional budget and reduction plan.

If the funds are not released in June by the Emergency Board, this will require EOU to utilize those renewed reserves to meet obligations in faculty and staff employment contracts.This is a more desirable option than class eliminations or raising tuition, but the fund balance would return to dangerously low levels.

The EOU Faculty Senate and University Council strongly urge Governor Kulongowski and the Oregon Legislative Assembly to take the necessary steps to release the entire $125 million State Salary Package when the Legislative Emergency Board meets in June, 2008.