Dene Thomas
Idaho legislative budget writers on Monday met with the presidents of Lewis Clark State College and the University of Idaho to discuss how the schools may address budget reductions for fiscal year 2010.
LCSC president Dene Thomas told members of the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee that options include staff cuts, deferring maintenance needs, and eliminating low-demand programs. Tuition increase, larger class sizes and a reduction in athletic scholarships are also under consideration.
Meanwhile, UI interim president Steven Daley-Laursen says the university could eliminate 80 faculty and staff positions, many of which are currently vacant, and cut its travel budget in half, or $583,000.
$2.3 million in operating expenditures and $500,000 in capital projects could also be on the chopping block.
