University Cuts Not Yet Clear

But it is unclear what, if any, progress administrators have made in determining how the $5 million in cuts will be distributed among the UNC-CH's various departments.

On Tuesday, Gov. Mike Easley asked the UNC system to return about 1.3 percent of its funds to the state to help offset the state's $900 million budget shortfall. When added to cuts made in October, UNC-CH has had a total budget reversion of about $15 million for the 2001-02 fiscal year.

UNC-CH News Services Director Mike McFarland said the Office of the Provost plays a large role in determining how budget cuts are implemented.

But McFarland said Thursday that Nancy Suttenfield, UNC-CH's vice chancellor for finance and administration, was on campus working out how to implement the cuts in Shelton's absence.

Suttenfield told The Daily Tar Heel on Wednesday that she could not comment specifically on how the budget cuts will be distributed but that, in the past, cuts typically have been proportional among academic departments.

Suttenfield could not be reached for further comment Thursday.

While traveling, Shelton is keeping contact with UNC-CH officials via e-mail, said Elmira Mangum, associate provost for finance.

"(Shelton) is handling the business of the University from (Switzerland)," she said. "He is preparing various budget cut scenarios to present to the University."

Mangum said the provost will announce how the cuts will be distributed as soon as he gathers enough information to make a decision.

Mangum said she is not sure when Shelton will finish preparing budget cut scenarios but added that it will likely be after he returns from Switzerland next week.

Shelton is leading a group of UNC-CH alumni on the "Swiss Winter Escapade" in Interlaken, Switzerland, which is one of many tours sponsored by the General Alumni Association.

The trip is one of many such tours the GAA sponsors for UNC-CH alumni during the course of the year. Typically, a UNC-CH administrator or faculty member is picked to lead the tour.

When asked whether he was concerned that the absence of the provost would delay implementation of budget cuts -- especially considering the fact that the spring semester is already one month under way -- UNC-CH Student Body President Justin Young said he is confident other campus administrators will handle the situation adequately.

"It's unfortunate the provost is not around to deal with this," Young said.

"But he's not the end-all, be-all in the University's budget."

Linda Naylor, administrative assistant in the Office of the Provost, said she was not sure but that she did not think Shelton had any plans to cut his trip short.

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.