Letter from the President

April 23, 2020

Dear University Community:

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. Even as we see a reduction in new cases and deaths, businesses beginning to open, and an easing of public movements, the impact of the virus will continue to affect our world for years to come.

Higher education faces a number of challenges as universities and colleges across the nation are experiencing declines in most revenue sources while the need for student financial aid increases. Combining these factors with an uncertain future enrollment and almost certain state funding cuts, it is only prudent fiscal management to reduce costs by 1.4% or $5.2 million of a $381 million budget.

Planning for fiscal year 2020-2021 will begin immediately with final budget hearings set for June. This includes a strategic review of all divisions and colleges to reduce costs anywhere from one to four percent in order to meet our overall target.

While reducing expenses is important, the optimum, long-term strategy is to continue investing in enrollment growth. Retention is key to expansion and is an area where we all have a fundamental impact. Please keep up the tremendous support you are giving our students, as your efforts pay off in so many ways.

The university was in a very strong position before the pandemic. With careful and prudent planning today, we can better ensure that Sam Houston State University not only weathers this crisis but also emerges even stronger. As always, I am thankful for your efforts as we strategically attack these issues.

Dana G. Hoyt, President