UNI feels effects of budget cuts

Gradual budget cuts from the last three years have created an increasing concern for the future of the University of Northern Iowa. The state legislature's reduction of state funds by 5.4 percent and an increase in basic costs has left UNI with a shortfall of $3.6 million.

"We are at a point that if there continue to be reductions, I'm not sure where (the money) could come from," said Terrence Hogan, Vice President for Student Affairs.

Even though student tuition was increased by 5 percent and the administration budgeted for more students, the state reductions were greater than the tuition increase in dollars.

"Unlike Iowa and Iowa State, where they have so many out-of-state students, we were unable to raise out-of-state tuition dollars to compensate for those losses in state funds," said President Benjamin Allen.

Making up for the deficit

The offices of the provost, Student Affairs, and Administration and Financial Services were each assigned a portion of the budget cut and were given instructions to figure out how to deal with their financial burdens. The budget cuts have affected nearly all of UNI's campus, except for the financial aid section of the Student Affairs division.

One way that UNI is saving money is by slightly increasing class sizes. Laura Porter, a junior communication major, has noticed this change.

"I feel like there are more people in my classes, but it's not enough to make a huge difference," Porter said.

UNI's three divisions have also generated extra funds through several methods, including shfting reliance on what sources of money are being used to pay for something.

"We're seeing some position shift from general fund support to being funded by either student fees or by income that departments generate," Hogan said.

For example, instead of counting on funding from the university, Maucker Union has shifted to bringing in revenue from room rentals and equipment rentals, and by hosting weddings and events.

As staff has decreased, so has the quality of the campus, according to Allen.

"The impact is that if you walk around campus, you may not see it maintained at the same levels," Allen said. "We have an attractive campus and you may see some deterioration."

Effect on academics

    The academic piece of the puzzle, which represents 70 percent of the budget, had the smallest cut, but the largest absolute amount of deficit. Out of the $3.5 million budget cut, $2.2 million came from the academic sector.

"A little perspective here: I actually cut academic affairs less than I cut the other two divisions because our core mission is academics," Allen said.

The academic division, run by Vice President and Provost Gloria Gibson, also received one-time funds produced from the return of more students than was initially expected. The extra revenue gave administrators more time to make their budget decisions.

If more state funds are not given to UNI next year, significant programs and minors will be downsized or even eliminated. Programs are reviewed and sometimes eliminated every two years by the provost and the deans, who started a process to review all academic programs. They developed the criteria and a review process and formed a ranking of UNI's programs.

Allen is sometimes reluctant to cut certain programs.

"If we have the last standing program, it's more difficult to close," Allen said. "The only other options students would have is either go to an out-of-state or a private college, both of which are more expensive."

On the other hand, programs and minors that are cut would help generate money to be used to pay off some of the deficit and to invest into UNI's bigger, stronger programs.

While only a relatively small number of programs are being completely removed, all of UNI's programs are impacted in a way that involves massive re-structuring.

Effect on other programs

    The Recycling & Reuse Tech Transfer Center (RRTTC), a program that promotes sustainability, has experienced a loss of $80,000 (25 percent of their budget) since 2000.

"If we are not investing in the applied research, it affects our ability to impact society, impact student lives and impact sustainability overall," said Catherine Zeman, RRTTC director. "Ultimately, we are not investing in your future."

Besides not being able to offer any applied research funding, the program is now funding fewer graduate students and providing fewer undergraduate and graduate internships. Zeman said the program's long-term goals have shortened and that they "are down to the bone.

"But ultimately, this undermines student opportunity," Zeman said.

Shane McClintock, a staff member at RRTTC and graduate student who works with Zeman, was directly affected by the budget cuts.