Finance and Administration

United Way Kickoff

The University's 2009 United Way Campaign is underway! Campaign Co-captains Provost Larry Abele and FSU Police Chief David Perry kicked off this year's FSU Lives United campaign at the President's House on October 16. Every year, Florida State employees show their compassion for those in need in our community by generously donating to the United Way of the Big Bend. With 47 agencies serving seven counties in the Big Bend area, the financial support provided by United Way's fundraising efforts is critical in order to meet the vast needs in our area.

Last year, FSU employees exceeded their goal of $410,000 by donating an impressive $417,000. Given the challenging economic time, this year's goal was set at a modest $375,000. Even a small donation can significantly impact the life of someone in need. The cost of one fast-food meal - $5 per pay period -can provide 75 lunches for children from low-income families or four nights lodging for disaster victims.

By now, faculty and staff should have received their 2009 pledge forms. If you haven't received yours, be sure to ask your department rep or download the form. Prize drawings will be held throughout the five-week campaign for those turning in donations. The earlier you return your completed pledge form the more drawings you will be eligible to participate in. Again this year, University Relations is donating great tickets to sporting events and Seven Days of Opening Nights performances. The grand prize is a reserved parking space for one year provided by FSU Transportation and Parking Services!

FSU's 2009 campaign ends on November 20.

Facilities Provide Campus With Big Savings

The current economic downturn has occurred just when FSU was experiencing an unprecedented level of new construction. While the space and equipment were greatly needed, many of the new structures are science buildings which are historically extremely high energy consumers. At a time when budget amounts are being cut, this potential increase in energy consumption was quite troubling.

Based on historical data, it was projected that utility costs for fiscal year 2008-2009 would be $29.6 million. Thanks to all the energy conservation efforts that FSU Facilities have put into place, as well as a flattening of utility rates, the actual utility cost was $25.4 million or $4.2 million less than expected.

Careful planning and rapid implementation of cost saving measures by the FSU Facilities department along with cooperation from the campus population resulted in a tremendous energy savings for Florida State University. Now the challenge is to repeat this feat for the fiscal year 2009-2010!