The University of Iowa

As the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at The University of Iowa plans for substantive budget reductions next year, we are using our shared governance processes to ensure that broad consultation informs our actions and that we are communicating regularly with faculty and staff.

Process

The College expects to receive its state-appropriated budget in late spring. In spite of considerable uncertainty as to the size of the eventual budget reduction, the College has consulted and will continue to consult the following groups as we plan for 2009-10 and beyond: 

• In each of its weekly meetings since the spring semester began, the elected CLAS Executive Committee has advised on principles that should guide budget reductions. 
• Dean Maxson has met frequently this spring with the College’s DEOs and with the Administrative Staff Group  to discuss strategies for preserving and advancing our core teaching and research mission in the face of fewer resources.
• Dean Maxson has discussed the College’s budget situation with the CLAS Faculty Assembly at their January 28 and February 25 meetings.

Principles

The College is committed to preserving and advancing its core teaching and research mission and to supporting the excellent cadre of  teacher-scholars that constitute our faculty.

• The College is committed to retaining current faculty and staff, with necessary restructuring of teaching and service duties so that our core mission can be carried out in the new fiscal environment.  
• The College is committed to maintaining or increasing the number of course seats available to undergraduate students, to ensure that all can create a full schedule of courses.
• The College is committed to continually reexamining its undergraduate and graduate programs to ensure that they serve students’ interests and career aspirations optimally.
• The College is committed to reexamining its administrative structure in the interests of reducing faculty time devoted to administration.
• The University is committed to protecting flood-affected units, including the College and many of its departments, in the budget reduction process.

Opportunities for Information and Input

These sources of information about the College’s budget planning and opportunities for input are available for CLAS faculty and staff:

• CLAS Staff Meeting.  On Friday, March 6, noon to 1:00 p.m., in 140 Schaeffer Hall, a meeting is scheduled at which Dean Maxson will discuss the budget situation with the College’s staff  
• CLAS Faculty Meeting.  On Friday, March 6, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., 100 Phillips Hall), a meeting is scheduled at which Dean Maxson will meet with faculty to discuss the budget situation. 
• E-mail Suggestions.  CLAS faculty and staff are encouraged to send their advice and suggestions for the College’s response to the budget to clas@uiowa.edu.  All responses will be compiled for discussion by the CLAS Executive Committee at their March 10 and March 24 meetings.  The responses will be kept confidential within the Executive Committee.

CLAS and UI Budget Information

The vast majority of the College's state-appropriated budget is devoted to instructional and administrative staffing.  In Fiscal Year 2008, expenditures from our state-appropriated budget were as follows:

Salaries & Fringe  $110,239,239   (94% of expenditures)

General Expense        6,496,972   (  5%)

Equipment                   1,025,412   ( 1%)

Total                     $117,761,623

To see the University's Financial Report for FY2008, click here.  If you have problems accessing the report, please contact Barbara Miller in the UI Business Office (barbara-miller@uiowa.edu).