© 2024 University of Missouri - KBIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

UM System Plans for Budget Cuts

University of Missouri System

  The University of Missouri System announced a budget planning process to address shortfalls in state funding on Monday. According to the statement, 8 to 12 percent cuts throughout the system need to be made by June.

 

The cuts will not be determined by the system or be made across the board by the UM System, but by each of the four universities.

UM System Chief Communication Officer John Fourgere said the planning time will allow the universities to decide immediate and long-term cuts and identify success base on UM System Mun Choi’s goals.

“[Choi] wants the leadership and the campus communities to make decisions based on performance,” Fougere said. “And to protect programs of excellence for faculty research, creative work, student outcomes, community engagement and financial aid.”

Fougere said programs that don’t measure up to the standard could be cut. The evaluation of programs and budget planning process will be managed by each university’s leadership, including the chancellor provost and chief financial officer. In the next month, campus leaders are expected to meet with faculty, students and staff to evaluate departments, programs and centers.

Fougere said it’s Choi’s goal that the university community has input on the decisions.

“It’s important that all through this process there’s transparency, collaboration and accountability, with input from faculty, students and staff,” he said.

The plans for immediate and long-term cuts will be submitted to Choi by May 19, just 16 days after University of Missouri Interim Chancellor Hank Foley leaves for a new position.

Fougere said the change in MU leadership won’t impact the execution of budget cuts.

“Interim Chancellor Foley has announced he is leaving, but there will still be leadership in place and they will be responsible to put together these plans, with the ultimate outcome of cutting their overall budget,” Fougere said.

The budget cuts will be finalized by early June.

Michaela Tucker is a Minneapolis native currently studying broadcast journalism at the University of Missouri. She is also a co-founder of KBIA’s partner program Making Waves, a youth radio initiative that empowers Columbia Public Schools students to share their stories.