UI president seeks input on solving school’s finances

MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho architecture professor Nels Reese wants to know why he has not had a raise in three years, while Vandal football coaches make far more than his salary.

University President Tim White is asking for comments from professors, students and the public as he tries to solve the school’s financial problems.

Tuesday marked the first day for White to receive and review public feedback. Comments must be received by Nov. 15.

“Why does a football coach make three times the amount of a good professor?” Reese asked. “I mean, I can live with the salary I’ve got – I understand the university’s situation and can live with it. But where are the priorities of this university?”

The University Vision and Resources Task Force, formed by White to address the financial woes, recommended a formula to determine the importance of a program to the university’s overall mission.

State holdbacks and the botched satellite campus project in Boise have placed the university $36 million in debt over the next few years. It is likely each department will receive a budget cut.

The athletics department still is susceptible to budget reductions, but White recently expressed his commitment to remain in Division I-A and compete in the Western Athletic Conference.

The task force recommended the school consider stepping down to a lower division if athletics failed to prove financially beneficial.

Vice President of Finance Jay Kenton said the athletic budget is about $9 million, while the average budget for WAC programs is $13 million to $14 million.

“This program is already grossly underfunded in comparison with other WAC and Division I-A programs,” Kenton said. “The recommended cuts will only guarantee that these programs are uncompetitive and will reflect poorly on the institution’s already tarnished image.”

The task force report recommends the university implement a formula to determine which programs are the most important and then eliminate others.