UF administrators say budget cuts are inevitable, including the $13.4 million that might come from their own budget.
The budget cuts proposed for the administration would reduce state funding put toward areas such as Student Health Care Center services, the UF International Center, research and university libraries. Some of these cuts would result in reduced positions and services.
The cuts, which were proposed Friday, came after the Florida Legislature required UF to reduce its budget for the upcoming fiscal year by about $38 million.
The fiscal year begins July 1, and UF President Bernie Machen will present a final budget proposal to members of UF’s Board of Trustees during its meeting scheduled for June 7 and June 8.
Members of Faculty Senate will discuss the overall budget Tuesday.
Scott Nygren, chairman of Faculty Senate, encourages anyone with suggestions or questions about the proposed budgets to bring them forward in time for the meeting next week.
The Faculty Senate’s discussion website allows users to comment on issues such as the budget.
Nygren said the administrative budget seemed appropriate, and it lined up with other cuts UF will have to make.
Current proposals protect tenure-track and tenured faculty from layoffs, but other faculty and staff positions might be eliminated.
“That’s not a good idea, but it’s still something that may be necessary,” Nygren said.
Provost Joe Glover said meeting the legislature’s requirement is not an option, and all the proposed budgets are acceptable.
“People may come up with even better ideas,” he said, “but the ones that have been proposed are reasonable.”
Contact Clare Lennon at clennon@alligator.org.
