STORRS, Conn. — Faculty and staff at the University of Connecticut walked out of classes Tuesday to raise awareness about anticipated funding cuts.
The staff’s union is bracing for potential cutbacks or complete elimination of several programs and teaching roles. The president and the board are also discussing larger class sizes, more virtual teaching and less tutoring opportunities.
“The university recognizes the challenges the anticipated budget shortfalls present but we have shared goals of maintaining UConn and UConn Health’s academic, research, and clinical strengths. The university plans and welcomes opportunities for dialogue, discussion, engagement, and transparency with the university community,” said in a statement.
University leaders unveiled a plan which calls for a 15 percent reduction in spending over the next five years. They will hold the first of a series of open town hall meetings on Wednesday to answer questions from faculty, staff and students about those proposed cuts.
Lawmakers have asked the university to identify strategies to be more efficient and increase revenue to make up for shortfalls in the proposed state budget. Those cuts could come from non-academic units, including administrative, support services, clinical, and athletics. Currently, 16 percent of the university’s total revenue comes from the state, down from 24 percent in Fiscal Year 2023.
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