Executive vice chancellor Alison Galloway released the projected budget cut dispersals for the upcoming year in an email on Tuesday.
The email detailed expected allocation of reductions to operating costs for various divisions at UCSC, making clear that “there is little good news to share.” The cuts that UCSC is to face starting July 1 reach up to $34 million, and Galloway’s estimated budget decisions cover Academic Units, Academic Support Units and Institutional Support Units.
“Meeting this challenge is requiring staff layoffs, elimination of unfilled faculty positions, and further reductions in instructional support, such as teaching assistants,” said Galloway in the email. “I want to acknowledge the human toll of these cuts as we say good-bye to valued colleagues and friends. And clearly, the impact of these cuts will be felt by remaining employees, who will face the dual challenge of getting the work done with fewer resources — and deciding what will no longer be done at all.”
The largest amount of the projected $34 million is slated to be absorbed by Institutional Support Units, including Chancellor’s Office, Academic Senate and Information Technology Services — with their estimated permanent reduction cuts totaling $7,897,100. The cuts will be a 13.8 percent reduction of their current total operating budgets.
The operating budget for Academic Units takes the next largest hit, with permanent reductions totaling $5,511,400 distributed among the Arts, Humanities, Physical and Biological Sciences, Social Sciences and Engineering divisions. The cuts will be a 5.9 percent reduction of their current total operating budgets.
Academic Support Units will absorb the smallest portion of the $34 million, a $2,732,600 cut, which represents a 14.6 percent reduction of their current total operating budgets.
In preparation of the cuts, Galloway offers “principles guiding the campus approach to implementing State budget cuts.” They say the cuts should not be directed at the courses students “need” in order to graduate. In course preservation, the principles warn, student interests may not be met.
Additional reporting by Laurel Fujii.
