The economic downturn that's affecting the rest of the nation has had an impact on all of us here in Wyoming. The State of Wyoming relies heavily on energy commodities for its revenue, and with falling energy prices and a stagnant economy, it is clear that Wyoming will continue to address financial challenges in the foreseeable future. The University of Wyoming will share in those challenges.

In June, I announced $18.3 million in budget cuts at the University of Wyoming. This was the most significant budget reduction exercise ever experienced at UW and impacted every major division. However, we were successful in protecting the core teaching, research, and outreach missions of the university.

As difficult as the decisions were including laying off 45 non-teaching staff I will continue to reiterate that UW is a much stronger institution today than it was 10 years ago. Even with these budget reductions, we don't intend to turn back the clock. Over the past decade, UW has received tremendous support from the governor and state legislature. The expectations for UW's performance are higher than ever, and deservedly so.
More than 80 percent of UW's increased funding has been devoted to salaries and benefits for our employees. Ten years ago, faculty and staff compensation was not competitive. We've turned that around, and that will continue to be our focus.

A decade ago, we launched our first academic plan. It details what's important for UW as an institution dedicated to serving Wyoming. In May, UW's Board of Trustees approved our third academic plan. Academic plans aren't academic exercises. They're our roadmap to excellence in achieving our mission. I believe state policymakers have confidence in UW because we know where we're going and have a strong record of getting there.

We have improved and expanded our academic programs to meet the changing needs of our students and the changing needs of those who hire them. When funding for our College of Health Sciences was approved in 2003, it had been nearly 20 years since the state had funded academic facilities in Laramie. We are improving our facilities to be competitive and those efforts must continue.

Our research enterprise is still growing. The NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center project is moving ahead, as is the High Plains Gasification Advanced Technology Center with General Electric. Those two projects will put us far ahead of many university competitors in critical research areas. Aggressive research is going forward in carbon sequestration, clean coal, and renewable energy. Wildlife and livestock disease research remains a key component of our research enterprise. Our College of Business will soon move into a modern facility. Our College of Education has restructured itself to provide an even stronger experience for our students; most will teach our schoolchildren. This summer, our colleges of Health Science and Law will welcome new deans.

As our students return this fall, it will be to a university that's continuing to build on the strong foundation we've assembled and continuing to carry on the very serious business of education, research, and service to our state.

   News

• Op-Ed by University of Wyoming President Tom Buchanan: Tuition
• UW Trustees Extend Buchanan's Contract
• UW Seeks Honorary Degree Nominations
• UW Sets External Funding Record Again