Additional UW Budget Reduction Listening Sessions Scheduled

Three additional listening sessions have been scheduled for University of Wyoming staff members to provide input to the university’s Budget Reduction Working Group (BRWG).

The newly scheduled sessions, along with their Zoom links, are:

-- Tuesday, Oct. 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m., for staff members in the Division of Finance and Administration -- https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/93568738738.

-- Friday, Oct. 9, 2-3 p.m., open staff session -- https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/92170150914.

-- Monday, Oct. 12, 2-3 p.m., open staff session -- https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/98741439451.

Listening sessions for staff members in academic units and the Division of Student Affairs were held last week.

A session for UW Operations employees is today (Monday) from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/97481304753. Information Technology employees also are invited to participate.

A session for employees in the Department of Athletics, Office of Research and Economic Development, Student Health Service and contract employees is Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/91327887405.

President Ed Seidel has granted an hour of release time for UW employees to participate in virtual and limited in-person listening sessions hosted by the 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.

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.