Budget Updates > Letter to the Campus Community, March 25, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, at the direction of the Joint Subcommittee on K-12/Higher Education in the Nevada State Legislature, the Nevada System of Higher Education was asked to develop a detailed plan for a potential budget reduction in excess of $200 million in an effort to reach Fiscal 2006 levels. The Nevada System has in turn asked its member institutions to develop a summary of budget reductions already implemented or planned plus an individual plan that would illustrate budget reductions on their campuses in order to help reach this figure. For the University of Nevada, Reno, a budget reduction of $45.7 million would be needed. We have made firm reductions totaling $20 million. In our previous Town Hall meetings, we referenced a potential target of $31 million in total budget reductions. Obviously, the $45.7 million would add an additional burden on the University. This figure is $14.5 million higher than the reduction target we have been referencing in our campus discussions. Our legislative leaders have mandated that these plans be formulated quickly and with as much detail as possible. Working with the chair and chair-elect of Faculty Senate and members of the President’s Council, the University administration has formulated a budget reduction scenario, which is now available for the campus community to view:

I would like to emphasize a few key points. One, as you review the document keep in mind this responds to an information request and no decisions regarding the fiscal year 2010 budget have yet been made as that budget remains under review. Second, the newest reduction of $14.5 million would bring our total expenditure cuts to $45.7 million, or 20.7 percent of our Fiscal 2009 general fund appropriation. Our overriding goal throughout the past few months has been to protect the core missions of the University – teaching and research – and to ensure students can continue to get access to the courses they need. Even with these key guiding principles, there is no denying the reality: The plan to achieve this reduction would fall heavily on the core mission of the University and would result in substantial losses in class sections, program eliminations, and a tangible change in the breadth and quality of the University.

I still remain firm in my belief, however, that our legislative leaders will not let the level that is currently being reviewed be implemented. They will use the information that we have provided them in an effort to make the most fair and equitable decisions they can for the budget for higher education in Nevada. I believe they share the hope that we hold on this campus, that in order for our state to enjoy a brighter future, a college education must be a reality for all citizens of the Silver State.
Sincerely,

Milton Glick
President