LOGAN — Utah State University announced budget cuts to employees on Friday, which will begin with voluntary buyouts, operational cuts, and could lead to possible layoffs.
Interim President Al Smith emailed USU faculty and staff on March 7 explaining how a combined $17.3 million in budget cuts from the Utah Legislature, between last year and this year, means USU needs to make cuts by July 1.
“It will mean difficult decisions and significant changes in some areas of our university,” Smith said.
Last year, the Utah Legislature made a 1.5% buget cut of $4.8 million to USU’s budget. To manage the deficit, USU will begin with voluntary separations first, then move to layoffs and operational cost reductions.
“I well understand the concern and anxiety this raises and assure you that we are centering the long-term health of our institution — which is first and foremost comprised of talented and committed people — as we proceed with the planning process,” Smith said.
Employees wanting to take advantage of the university-wide voluntary separation incentive program (VSIP) or buyout can do so from March 17 – May 2. Employees who choose VSIP will be required to end employment by July 1.
In addition to the $4.8 million cut last year, the Utah Legislature cut an extra $12.5 million this legislative session with HB 265: Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment. A bill which removed $60 million from Utah’s eight public degree-granting higher education instiutions and relocated it elsewhere in the state’s budget. This means USU will be requireed to work with the Utah Board of Higher Education to develop a strategic reinvestment plan to address the budget impact.
Smith said he will provide more information about the implementation of the budget cuts at the next University Forum for faculty and staff on March 20 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Employees are encouraged to attend in person or on Zoom and may submit questions in advance. Employees may also provide ideas or suggestions for how USU can be more efficient in its budget.
USU will need to absorb the cuts from last year’s legislative session by July and then identify what it can reduce or eliminate going forward to address what was passed with this year’s legislation.