University Presidents to Offer Budget Solutions at Press Conference

The leaders of Arizona's public universities are stepping forward to offer collaborative solutions to Arizona's budget crisis.

By Johnny Cruz, University Communications January 27, 2009

The leaders of Arizona's public universities are stepping forward to offer collaborative solutions to Arizona's budget crisis.

Arizona Board of Regents President Fred Boice will be joined by University of Arizona President Robert N. Shelton, Arizona State University President Michael Crow and Northern Arizona University President John Haeger at a press conference on the Capitol Lawn, in front of the Arizona State House of Representatives, on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m.

They will share details of their proposal to cut $100 million from universities' budgets to address the state's budget deficit in 2009. Their remarks will include actions the universities will have to take in order to absorb such a cut. 

The presidents also will discuss plans for a panel of university experts who will contribute their time and talent to assist elected officials in addressing the state's budget shortfall – which is estimated at $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2009 and $3 billion the following year.

On Jan. 15, state legislators issued a proposal for a $243 million mid-year cut to the university system with a total $388 million cut for fiscal year 2010. The proposal has resulted in resistance from business owners and executives, community members, students, parents and alumni.

On Jan. 22, the largest crowd ever to attend an Arizona Board of Regents meeting convened to listen to dozens of speakers voice opposition to the proposed cuts.

Since the legislative proposal was released, Shelton has said repeatedly that the universities are prepared to do their part to cut budgets, and that they would like to collaborate on developing solutions that would address the deficit, spur the economy and end the recession.