Cuts possible for upcoming school year

According to a statement sent by University of Northern Iowa President Benjamin Allen to UNI students, faculty and staff, changes and cuts could be made to academic programs, Malcolm Price Laboratory School, the UNI Museum and Panther Athletics for the coming year. In addition, UNI Print Services will close in March, according to an article from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.  

In the statement, which was released on Feb. 16, Allen said, "We need to continue to make strategic budget decisions by reallocating and aligning resources to support our core mission and values."

Allen also said changes made over the past few years have not been enough to deal with the dramatic changes sweeping Iowa and the nation in regards to higher education.

Academic programs that could be cut include those with low enrollment and few graduates; however, students currently in any programs that are cut will be able to complete the program.

According to the article from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, the university may outsource Public Safety by having the Cedar Falls police force provide some or all of the security for campus.

In his statement, Allen said he promised to "continue to work with the Board of Regents, State of Iowa and consult with applicable stakeholders to make changes now to ensure the educational experience we want for every student exists in the future.

"We believe these decisions will result in an institution that retains and builds on its historical strengths, while aligning us for future success in a challenging and competitive education environment," Allen added.  

The UNI United Faculty (UF), the sole negotiation agent for UNI's 550 faculty members, released a statement "responding to the announcements of Ben Allen."

In the press release, it said the UF "urges the state to support higher education more than in the past, urges the (Board of Regents) to avoid layoffs, and presses the administration to make sure that they allocate tuition and state resources to the core academic mission of the university."

The UF also said that if the UNI administration decides to layoff faculty members, they must "adhere to the terms of the legally binding Master Agreement."

"Given the great flexibility administration has in hiring and managing faculty resources, United Faculty would consider the layoff of tenured faculty a major failure in planning by the administration," the UF said in its press release.

Faculty members should be consulted on any changes to the curricula or programs offered, according to the UF.

The press release also said Iowa's economic picture is "improving significantly."

The release said the UF "recognizes that administration has a responsibility to students, taxpayers, as well as faculty, and shares the desire to be good stewards of tax payer money and tuition and adhere to the core mission of the University."

In his statement, Allen said leaders in higher education have a responsibility to students, parents and the taxpayers of Iowa to "maintain our excellent academic reputation, enhance access and affordability, and prepare for the future."

"In times like these, we must define our future before circumstances dictate it for us," Allen said.