Regents to mull program cuts to meet new budget

Program cuts to meet a 5.4-percent cut in state support to Iowa's public universities will be on the table at next week's board of regents meeting.

State funding for the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa for fiscal 2012 is $448.8 million, compared to $474.4 million for fiscal 2011, according to the proposed budget released this morning.

In March, regents approved a 5 percent increase in undergraduate tuition for the coming academic year. The hike is expected to generate $54.1 million in additional revenue.

Although the tuition hikes and increased enrollments are expected to bring in more revenue, "with enrollment increases come additional needs in faculties and services," said Patrice Sayre, the regents' chief business officer.

Regents must also allow for faculty and staff salary increases of about 3 percent.

Sayre said each university's president will discuss their plans to deal with the budget constraints at the regents' meeting Wednesday and Thursday on the UNI campus in Cedar Falls.

The schools' fiscal year begins July 1, but Sayre said regents typically address the budget after that date because the Legislature usually doesn't adjourn early enough to allow a budget to be ready by the turn of the fiscal year.

University of Iowa students see the biggest increase, a 6-percent hike, generating $365.6 million toward the general university's $625.8 million operating budget. The state's UI appropriation is $209.7 million.

At Iowa State, a 3.5-percent tuition hike is expected to bring in $284.1 million on a $469.6 million operating budget. The state's ISU appropriation is $164.3 million.

UNI's 5-percent increase should generate $82 million toward its $160 million budget. State general fund support is $74.7 million.

State support for higher education has dropped 24 percent since 1997, according to the budget document.