Boan's comments spoke directly to the mission of the committee, which is to help the University identify reasonable steps to cut its operating costs and prepare for tight budgets in the future. The committee, chaired by Provost Odom and comprised primarily of faculty members, is meeting twice weekly through early December when it will issue a final report to President Palms.

"So much [of the state's budget] is tied to the economy," Boan said. "Until we get through this national economic downturn, the best position for USC would be to take a conservative outlook."

State economic forecasters will get key economic data in October and November that will shape discussion of next year's state budget. In the current fiscal year, higher education and K-12 education ultimately were spared the massive budget cuts absorbed by other state agencies.

During a question and answer period, Boan was dubious about the possibility of state lottery revenues being used to provide funds for attracting top faculty members to USC, Clemson, and MUSC. The first priority for that revenue is scholarships, Boan said. Language exists in the lottery bill for revenues to be used for faculty recruitment, but "it's way down in the pecking order," said John Gregory, USC's chief legislative liaison.

Committee members also considered revenue and expenditure data about each college prepared by the Office of Institutional Planning and Assessment. They also heard a brief presentation from Tony Boccanfuso, director of Sponsored Programs and Research, about tuition waivers for graduate students.

The committee is planning open campus meetings Sept. 11, 18, and 25 at which any interested faculty and staff members can attend and ask questions or offer suggestions to the committee.