LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- The interim president at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette met with faculty and staff to discuss the school's $25 million deficit and spending cuts.

It was a difficult conversation to have, but Interim President Jamie Hebert explained it's only fair to help faculty and staff understand the problem they're being asked to help fix.

The $25 million structural deficit is down to $10 million through the help of operational spending cuts of 10% and 5% spending reduction in academic affairs.

Hebert described the decline in full-time undergraduates as a significant reason for the deficit.

"What comprises our enrollment are graduate students, online students, dual enrollment students and non-degree seeking students," Hebert said. "One portion of that student body are full-time undergraduate students, and they are the primary revenue generators on campus. Most of our growth over the past four or five years has been in online programs and in graduate programs, and the revenue generation within those units is not as great as the revenue generation that we would see in our undergraduate programs."

Hebert explained that to file down the remaining $10 million will require work. Unfortunately, when you're in a situation like this and dealing with deficits human impact is going to be real.

"We would be hard pressed to hit that next $10 million without additional cuts in staffing," Hebert said.

In a letter from the Office of the President Hebert said:

"As we continue to seek fiscal stability, our focus is clear: safeguard the student experience, support faculty in their teaching and research, and do everything possible to limit the impact on people.

To that end, we have implemented a series of measures designed to reduce costs and preserve resources. Among them:

Restructured Commencement into a single-day format, saving the University approximately $65,000.

Cancelled the arrangement with a local hotel for satellite student housing, saving nearly $900,000 when transportation and security are factored in.

Adjusted building temperatures, which will save roughly $200,000.

Readjusted the campus shuttle bus system for an additional $109,000 in savings.

As we work to address our fiscal challenges, we are also committed to minimizing the impact of reductions on the essential work of our employees, and we are willing to adjust our approach as needed along the way. 

These are difficult days, but I believe in the resilience of this campus and in the strength of our shared purpose. That belief gives me confidence as we continue to move forward together."

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