By Kathy Hanson; Ames Tribune (IA); Thursday, August 6, 2009 11:13 AM CDT

The impact of a $95 million decline in state funding in the past year became less abstract for the Iowa Board of Regents and institutional leaders on Wednesday as the Regents formally approved budgets for fiscal year 2009-10, which  began July 1. ….. According to Ellen Rasmussen, ISU’s associate vice president for budget and planning, the state funding shortfall will require cuts in staff and faculty, although efforts are being made to preserve jobs along with ISU’s commitment to students’ quality education experience.……. Any reductions  involving merit positions requires notification of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the state department of administrative services and, ultimately, the governor’s office.