UI: Short Term Cuts ‘Not Sustainable’

The University of Idaho implemented a “strategic hiring freeze” in fiscal year 2009. It’s now down 44 regular faculty and 36 staff positions, not including changes in part-timers; the total reduction in full-time equivalent employees from the general education budget is 136. Add in 73 cut from the Ag Research and Extension Services, and the total cut is 203 positions. All non-essential travel has been cut. The UI also has furloughed most of its employees. “The freeze on hiring and the reduction in travel have been important management tools, but these are short-term cuts and they’re not sustainable,” Nellis told lawmakers/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here .

• Ag research & extension suffers from budget cuts
• Bell suggests tapping UI reserves, Nellis responds they’re eroded
• UI can handle short-term cuts, but there are long-term consequences
• Nellis: Needs great, and investment in higher education pays off
• UI’s budget relies on a variety of sources
• UI has largest freshman classes ever in last 2 years
• Nellis: UI returns $9 for every $1 invested in it
• Budget cuts take toll at LCSC, prez says
• LCSC enrollment has grown 68% since 2000