President Ann Weaver Hart released an announcement today outlining budget preparations the university is making as it braces itself for drastic cuts in commonwealth appropriation for the upcoming 2011-12 fiscal year.

Acknowledging that Temple cannot deal with the cuts solely through tuition increases, Hart announced a freeze to non-union salaries at the FY 2011 level, a university-wide hiring freeze and restriction on travel, examination of personnel’s benefits package to reduce its cost and consolidation of administrative positions throughout the university.

Dean searches for the Tyler School of Art, the School of Communications and Theatre, the College of Education, the College of Health Professions and Social Work and University Libraries will also be suspended, meaning there will be some shuffling of positions to fill the vacant leadership.

“Our collective commitment to Temple’s current and future students remains steadfast,” Hart said in the statement, “and the guiding principle of keeping the highest quality education within reach of middle- and working-class students and their families will continue to direct our budgeting efforts.”

Hart said the university is also looking for other ways to cut costs. What do you recommend? Do you find the solutions the administration is offering now will be effective?