The ongoing federal government shutdown, now entering its third week, is beginning to impact operations at the Georgia Institute of Technology. With lawmakers still negotiating a federal spending agreement for the fiscal year that began October 1, payment delays from federal sponsors are affecting research activities at the institute. These federally funded projects account for more than $100 million in monthly expenses.
Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer at Georgia Tech, said, “While we remain hopeful that the U.S. government shutdown will end soon, it is a fluid situation and we need to begin to slow spending to preserve cash and maintain essential campus operations. Georgia Tech is taking a thoughtful, conservative but principled approach to how the Institute will spend resources to help us weather this shutdown and limit the effect on our students and our mission.”
If the shutdown continues beyond Monday, October 20, Georgia Tech plans to significantly limit certain activities to slow expenditures and preserve cash. Specific details and procedures will be provided to college and unit leaders as well as financial managers. The institute’s executive leadership will continue monitoring cash reserves while considering further mitigation measures if the shutdown extends into November.
Despite these challenges, Georgia Tech intends to continue research activities during the shutdown as much as possible given current resource constraints. The institute will keep submitting invoices and making cash requests when federal systems allow; however, payments from sponsors are delayed. Researchers seeking guidance can consult information provided by Georgia Tech at https://osp.gatech.edu/federal-government-shutdown-guidance.
Leadership teams at Georgia Tech will keep monitoring developments related to the shutdown and share updates with the campus community as new information becomes available.
