EOB: UI Could Cut 80 Positions

The next cuts could include eliminating 5 percent, or 80, of the university’s faculty and staff positions, Daley-Laursen said, saying that’s something “we are prepared to consider.” All cuts would be of vacant positions; the university already has a hiring freeze. Currently there are 32 vacant faculty positions and 55 vacant staff positions. Daley-Laursen said he’s also planning a 75 percent cut in state funds for travel, a $2.3 million cut in university-wide operating expenses and a half-million-dollar cut in capital outlay/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here .

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Question: After seeing about half my colleagues ushered out of the newsroom in the last seven years via buyouts and layoffs, I understand that no one is immune from these times. Yet, I also understand that higher education offers the quickest path out of poverty and grunt work. So here’s the question: After these cuts, would you be more or less willing to send your kids to UI?