The study was completed and a report was submitted to a legislative committee in April. The report indicated that further outsourcing could result in substantial savings. In late summer a comprehensive series of guidelines for further outsourcing studies was provided to our institutions. The guidelines call for a three-year review of functions which might be reorganized and possibly contracted out. The institutions have provided a listing of functions planned for review over the period.
Initial efforts are well underway on the first year reviews.
There is, as you would expect, continuing legislative interest, and we shall need to make periodic reports. There is also a separate Privatization Committee of the General Assembly interested in the issue. What we must recognize beyond the legislative directives is that direct dollar savings and improved efficiencies can result from our analysis of these functions. It is entirely possible that some resources can be redirected and applied to our primary academic tasks. I have asked our attorney, Mr. Robinson, to give you a brief overview of the open-meetings law and related issues as they pertain to faculty governance and faculty deliberation in the University.