Release Time Granted for UW Budget Reduction Listening Sessions

President Ed Seidel has granted an hour of release time for University of Wyoming employees to participate in virtual and limited in-person listening sessions hosted by UW’s Budget Reduction Working Group (BRWG).

The sessions are intended to gather input from members of the campus community as the BRWG develops recommendations for the president, who has been charged by the UW Board of Trustees with developing a $42.3 million biennial budget reduction plan for the board to consider at its November meeting.

Here are the times and Zoom links for the staff sessions, listed by various units and employee categories:

-- Thursday, Oct. 1, 3-4 p.m. -- Academic Affairs/colleges/departments -- https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/96796409051.

-- Friday, Oct. 2, 2-3 p.m. -- Student Affairs -- https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/96453732361.

-- Monday, Oct. 5, 12:30-1:30 p.m. -- Operations -- https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/97481304753.

-- Wednesday, Oct. 7, 3:30-4:30 p.m. -- Athletics/Research/Student Health/contract employees -- https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/91327887405.

The scheduling of release time should be a collaborative discussion between employee and supervisor to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the unit.

Here is the schedule for faculty sessions (Zoom links and/or locations for small-group discussion will be distributed by Academic Affairs to all UW faculty members):

-- Wednesday, Oct. 7, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

-- Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1-3 p.m.

-- Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

In-person meetings will follow UW’s requirements for physical distancing and face protection.

Sessions for UW students also are planned at these times (information on how to participate will be shared by the Associated Students of UW at www.uwyo.edu/asuw):

-- Thursday, Oct. 8, noon.

-- Monday, Oct. 12, 5:30 p.m.

In accordance with UW Regulation 2-12, the trustees directed Seidel to develop a budget reduction plan to present to the board in 45 days. The action is necessary because of a 10 percent state funding reduction announced by Gov. Mark Gordon in late July in response to a dramatic downturn in state revenue.

The BRWG plans to provide the president with preliminary spending reduction recommendations in mid-October, with final recommendations in late October. Seidel then will develop a budget reduction plan and present it to the board in early November, with the expectation that the board will act on the plan at its Nov. 11-13 meeting.

The BRWG continues to accept input here on the Office of Academic Affairs website.