Message from President Machen regarding Budget Reduction
Detailed Budget Reduction Proposal
In response to the FY 08-09 budget adopted by the Florida Legislature, the University of Florida is making $47 million in cuts that will affect all areas of the university.
As a result of the budget cuts, the university will reduce funding for administrative units and research, reduce or eliminate degrees and courses and restructure several departments.
"Our priority is to protect the quality of education at the University of Florida," President Bernie Machen said. "With the help of our deans and vice presidents, we have worked very hard to minimize the impacts. But clearly, we cannot take reductions this large without making difficult choices."
The budget cuts were achieved by requiring each college and administrative unit to reduce spending by 6 percent. Each dean and vice president determined how the college and unit would meet its goal.
The criteria for deciding budget reductions included protecting the university's core missions of education, research and service (including economic development), the strategic goals of the university and the needs of students and the state. Administrators sought to more efficiently allocate resources but in some cases were forced to eliminate services and programs.
University libraries and security programs were exempted from the cuts. Promotional raises for faculty will be retained.
President Machen will meet with the Faculty Senate Steering Committee on May 8 for faculty review of the budget. The budget will be finalized and presented to the Board of Trustees as a recommendation for their endorsement during a conference call the week of May 12.