by Maribel Lopez

    With the nation struggling economically, everyone has been watching their wallets a little closer these days, including Wartburg.

      The college has developed a plan to prevent unnecessary spending. Some of the steps include, a five percent decrease in department operating budgets, faculty pay freezes, a reduction in the retirement plan and less paid faculty bonus days.

      The decrease in operation expenses includes sustainability factors such as conserving paper and less traveling, which in the end could save the college $500,000.

      Pay freezes have been instated for the year. No pay cuts will occur, which is different than what other institutions have been experiencing.

      Vice President for Administration Gary Grace said that so far Wartburg has been able to whether the layoffs and pay cuts other schools have been seeing and hopefully the college can maintain this.

      The college’s retirement plan was reduced two percent for the year. And instead of providing faculty and staff with extra paid time off days, they will only receive the standard four days.

      Even with all the money saving measures the college is taking, Marketing and Communication Director, Saul Shapiro says Wartburg is working hard to keep the student experience as normal as possible.