Gov. Hutchinson gives ASU System money to complete efficiency study

Gov. Asa Hutchinson is directing $500,000 in state discretionary funds to the Arkansas State University System to fund its ongoing Accelerate ASU efficiency study.

ASU contracted with Huron Consulting Group in fall 2017 to explore ways to grow revenue, reduce costs and reallocate resources to strategic initiatives, ASU System President Chuck Welch said. Huron expects to present 40-50 opportunities to the system and its campuses. A majority of those opportunities will focus on new revenue streams.

“President Welch has caught the vision that trimming unnecessary costs does not mean a reduction in services,” Hutchinson said. “That is clear because he is helping to pay for this study with money he has saved by reducing expenses. His team estimates that as the ASU System implements initiatives, the payback in savings could be $12 million to $15 million a year. President Welch is one of many in our state who is leading by example.”

The system’s study to identify inefficiencies is consistent with the governor’s ongoing efforts statewide, Welch said. The balance of the $995,000 contract with Huron will be paid with ASU System reserve funds that have been accumulated from expense savings during the past six years, Welch said, so the campuses will receive significant financial benefit from the study without incurring any cost. The cost of the study is equivalent to 0.33% of total fiscal 2017 system expenditures of $293.2 million.

“From the day he took office, Gov. Hutchinson has emphasized the need for every state entity to look for ways to operate better, smarter and more efficiently,” Welch said. “Each of our campuses is committed to controlling costs while improving higher education opportunities for our students and increasing the number of credentials we award each year. We appreciate his recognition and investment in our efforts.

“We’re enthusiastic about the new higher education productivity funding formula and are grateful for his commitment of $10 million in new funding for universities and colleges that show progress.”

All ASU System faculty and staff were recently surveyed for input, and Huron received 900 responses and 40% of those came from faculty members. The study process will be completed early this year.