UW Budget Reduction Information Available on Website

Information about the University of Wyoming’s budget reductions for the coming biennium is available on a new web page, www.uwyo.edu/president/budget_planning/.

As part of President Laurie Nichols’ commitment to transparency regarding budget and other issues, the site contains documents related to reductions being made in the fiscal year that begins July 1; guiding principles the university will follow through the budget-reduction process; her declaration of a financial crisis under UW regulations; academic and non-academic program reviews; and long-term plans to improve UW’s financial situation.

The reductions are a result of a drop in the university’s state block grant, driven by Wyoming’s economic downturn and loss of state government revenue. For the biennium that begins July 1, UW faces a loss of nearly $41 million in state funding. In addition, the university needs to reallocate dollars internally to cover costs related to a new financial and reporting system, increased utility expenses and other needs. For the biennium, that brings the total of necessary reductions to more than $50 million.

Nichols continues to invite input from the campus community and others. People are encouraged to email their comments and ideas to uwpres@uwyo.edu.