Tuesday, Texas A&M's plan for a state-mandated $28 million budget cut over the next two years was forwarded to state leaders. From there, experts in Austin will analyze the plan and get back to A&M.

The five percent cut was mandated by the state for all its institutions. The University of Texas, University of Houston and Texas Tech University are among those also having to trim five percent of its budget over the next two years.

For A&M, more than seven million dollars would come from so-called operational reductions by non-colleges if the state approves its plan. That would be deferring equipment and furnishing purchases, reducing supplies and materials, among other things.

Another $5 million-plus would be saved by operational reductions by the colleges.

Position savings in colleges and non-colleges would account for a combined $10.5 million according to the plan. President Bowen Loftin says merit pay increases won't happen this year, which is not part of this category.

"Most of it is focusing on not filling positions right now that are currently vacant," Loftin said last week. "We placed a selective hiring freeze, so we're not saying you can't hire to fill a position, but you've got to be really sure that you need it, and you've got to justify it up the chain of command to the dean or the vice president to get it filled.

"We're being very careful not to fill positions that are vacant now," he continued. "That's a huge way to save dollars without hurting anybody right now, except the people around that have got to come together and shoulder part of the burden then perhaps as well."

Reducing travel and combining non-degree programs are also money savers in the proposal.

The university has posted information on its plan at its website, which is linked below.