Latest University Budget News

In a joint meeting January 15, the university Executive Committee and the Dean’s Council reported what the impact of the most recent budget cut will be on their colleges and divisions. They reported on two levels: the impact of a 0.8 percent reduction for the remainder of this fiscal year, and the impact of a 2.1 percent reduction in budgets for fiscal year 2003-04, beginning July.

All reported that for the remainder of this fiscal year, the 0.8 percent cut, approximately $600,000, would be absorbed through vacant position pool money.

The 2.1 percent cut, approximately $2.5 million for the university, will have a far greater impact on all of the colleges and divisions, including layoffs, program cuts and restructuring. Although layoffs are inevitable for some departments and units with no operating dollars remaining and no vacant pool positions available, the brunt of this cut will again be absorbed through a combination of vacant positions pools, restructuring and discontinuing programs.

As the cuts become deeper, so will the impact. In anticipation of the possibility of further reductions for fiscal year 2003-04, vice presidents, deans and directors were asked to prepare drafts for Jan. 29 detailing actions they will take in the event of a 2.5 percent budget cut, a 3.5 percent and a 4.5 percent cut.

By Feb. 12, final impact reports are due. The strategy to address these budget reductions will be shared and presented to the Board of Regents and the Utah Legislature in February.

The university community will be kept fully informed throughout the budget process. They are encouraged to use this web site and to meet directly with deans, directors and department heads for this purpose.