Florida Programs Submit 10% Budget Cut Plans

The various schools within the University of Florida have begun submitting their worst-case scenario proposals for across-the-board 10 percent budget cuts, the Florida Alligator reports. These proposals will be reviewed by the public and decided upon by the Board or Regents. The school is not planning a universitywide 10 percent cut, but it will use the proposals to determine which schools and departments will be cut to what extent. A rundown of some of the potential damage:

Nursing: The undergraduate program will likely be spared and there are no planned layoffs so far, but nursing could see reduced enrollment if the school does not bring back the same number of temporary faculty. The program would cut $813,000 from its budget, $609,000 of which would come by not filling eight vacant positions (seven professorships and one staff position). The program also would cut five temporary faculty members and an unknown number of student assistant positions.

Business: To help achieve a $2.3 million cut, the business program would lay off five faculty members, saving around $407,000. The school also plans to recoup $1.4 million via donations and revenue from online degree programs.

Medicine: The College of Medicine might be forced to cut $3.8 million, forcing it to lay off seven people and leave 28 positions vacant. The latter move would save about $2 million.

Design, Construction , and Planning: Its proposal would cut about $985,000 and would eliminate two vacant positions and involve layoffs of about six temporary faculty members and four faculty members who would not be eligible for tenure. Cuts would be concentrated mostly in the dean's office.

Journalism: To help cut $909,000, the proposal suggests eight layoffs and would leave empty two vacant positions. The college's Documentary Institute and the master's degree program in documentary film would be eliminated.

Dentistry: The program would have to cut $1.7 million, although a spokeswoman says much of that could be made up via clinical revenues and by attracting more donations and grants. The school does not plan to reduce enrollment and has no layoff plans.

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