Lyall outlines possible cuts

The UW System may scale back some programs if the governor’s proposal to fix the state’ s budget problems is approved, President Katharine Lyall says.

” The governor’ s proposal is very challenging, but it lets us contribute more than just budget cuts to Wisconsin’ s economic future, ” Lyall told the UW System Board of Regents.

Gov. Scott McCallum has proposed eliminating $51 million in funding to the UW System as part of his plan to make up the state’ s $1.1 billion budget shortfall.

Lyall says measures could include:

• Slowing new program approvals and focusing on those that advance the economic development, international, and security needs of the state and nation.
• Adjusting the academic calendar to create a longer winter break to save energy costs.
• Seeking additional flexibilities to manage purchasing and telecommunications contracts.

Lyall says the university has already taken a number of steps to reduce expenses:

• Delaying the replacement of a number of non-instructional vacancies which will slow service in administrative areas at UW-Milwaukee and System Administration.
• Freezing the current replacement cycle for desktop computers at UW–Madison, UW-Green Bay and UW-Oshkosh.
• Eliminating funding reserved for smaller spring class sizes for freshmen and sophomores at UW–Madison.
• Reducing professional development funding that helps faculty and staff remain current in their fields at UW–Madison and UW-Eau Claire.

McCallum’ s budget proposal would allow the university to increase tuition by 10 percent each year without seeking approval from the Legislature.