UI President Sally Mason talks budget cuts and the future

A time of economic crisis is not the time to hunker down, University of Iowa President Sally Mason said Thursday.

Rather, it's a time to think big and boldly plan for and invest in future priorities, Mason said, to seek opportunities for growth by investing more and smarter.

“We are in the midst of not just temporary budget cuts, but rather a redefinition of what the University of Iowa is all about,” Mason told about 150 people at the annual Joint Service Club Luncheon hosted by Iowa City Noon Rotary.

It's a yearly tradition for the UI president to address local service and rotary groups at the event.

The UI received about $35 million in one-time federal stimulus money this year, partly to help cover state budget cuts. That means officials must prepare for the loss of $35 million next year.

It is difficult, Mason said, but also an exercise in strategic planning and goal setting.

The goal is to establish a core base of strength in preparation for future times of budget crisis, she said.

“We can't expand everything, but we should expand the best we have to offer,” she said.