Monday, November 6, 2023

News Largest budget reduction in the last 20 years - Amarha Bridger and Jenna Heinz, the Antelope (U Nebraska Kearney)

UNK administration is addressing a $4.3 million shortfall, $3 million of which will be reduced from the Academic Affairs division. The 2023-24 fiscal year will be the 15th of the last 21 years that has included budget reductions.  Total reduction amounts since 2001 can be found on the UNK Factbook. The Antelope searched for detailed reports of each year but could only locate specifics for select years since 2002. Jon Watts, vice chancellor for Business and Finance, provided information regarding budget reductions for 2002-03, 2003-04, 2007-08 and 2008-09. In the 2002-03 fiscal year, UNK had $1,208,572 in permanent budget reductions – one of the highest amounts the university has had to cut in the last 20 years. The operating budget for facilities of Business and Finance was reduced by $87,675. University Relations faced a similar reduction following the elimination of a printing office, totaling $86,530.