Monday September 24, 2001

UA budget cuts to be examined by regents Wednesday

The distribution of salary increases, a proposed $13.9 million cut in this year's UA and Arizona Health Sciences College budget, funding for higher-than-expected enrollment and a proposal to sell bonds to fund UA projects are up for consideration at an Arizona Board of Regents meeting at ASU tomorrow and Wednesday.

"The president and the Legislature both want to get staff salaries up," said University of Arizona spokeswoman Sharon Kha.

Every full-time university employee will receive $1,500, Kha said.

"That $1,500 is the best guarantee of getting the lowest-paid people's salaries up the fastest," she said.

However, there are funds for salary increases beyond the $1,500 per full-time employee that the university must decide how to distribute.

The UA proposes remaining salary funds be divided by merit, market-demands - more pay for those professors in highest demand by the academic market - and equity.

The proposal must be approved by the board before funds can be distributed next year.

"Some regents have expressed concerns with approving (the distribution of salary adjustments) as is," said Norma Salas, ABOR's assistant director for public affairs.

Governor Jane Dee Hull's requested 4 percent budget cut from all state agencies means a $13.9 million cut from the UA, if such a cut is implemented.

Though there will be some loss of state funding to the UA, the cut could be larger or smaller when finalized, Salas said. The board is expected to aid the UA in analyzing the budget to consider where spending cuts could be made.

"If you don't identify the 4 percent (cut), the state legislature will," Salas said.

However, it remains unknown what the effects of such a budget cut may be.

"I think it's too early for anyone to say what the impact will be because we're just in the talking stages," Kha said.

Meanwhile, the board will ask the Arizona legislature for more funding next year to cover increased UA enrollment. This year's freshman class was approximately 600 students larger than anticipated, Salas said.

Another option for UA funding is bond sales.

The Ina Gittings Building will be expanded, residence halls and a parking garage will be built at Sixth Street and Highland Street and Arizona International College will be relocated, if the board approves the sale of bonds totaling $26.4 million to cover related costs.

The board will also discuss whether and possibly how to apply the Knight Commission recommendations - which suggest ways to restore a balance between collegiate academics and sports - to Arizona universities, but is not expected to vote on any issue related to the Knight recommendations at this time.

Also, head baseball coach Andrew Lopez may receive a six-year contract worth $510,000, not including performance incentives, if the Regents approve.