University of Idaho officials are whittling away at their budgets in preparation for permanent reductions to come.

Over the summer, the state Board of Education ordered a review of programs and activities that could be adjusted or eliminated at Idaho’s three universities and college.

Gov. Phil Batt recently ordered a 2 percent budget holdback.

University of Idaho interim President Thomas Bell is linking the two efforts to best position the school for new leadership, he said in a memo to department heads. He also warns them to consider the cuts permanent.

Bell asked fiscal year 1997 budgets be prepared at just 97 percent of the base budget for fiscal year 1996.

Robert Fenning, assistant vice president for budget and planning, said those reductions for the nine colleges at Idaho are: Letters and Science, $439,027; Engineering, $287,174; Forestry, $124,157; Agriculture, $117,783; Education, 23,203; Business and Economics, $112,281; Mines and Earth Resources, $84,222; Art and Architecture, $62,701; Law, $86,369.

That is a reduction of more than $1.4 million. An additional $1.15 million will be excised from other areas such as the provost’s office, library, athletics, student affairs and administration.

Department heads are not being discouraged from cutting deeper than 3 percent, Fenning said.

School officials have been asked to have budget revisions to Bell by Dec. 6.