UM system sees better financial picture,
plans 194 position cuts
UMPI to lose 10 positions
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — University of Maine System Chief Financial Officer Ryan Low provided the Board of Trustees with an updated financial projection indicating Maine’s universities have reduced the projected 2020 structural gap by $37 million from the $89.6 million figure that was forecast in November 2014.
Meeting in Presque Isle this past weekend, UMS trustees learned the one-year, 41 percent reduction in the projected gap is largely attributed to savings achieved in the 2016 fiscal year budget, increases in out-of-state enrollment and an increase in state aid for public higher education.
Locally, that means an equivalent reduction of about 10 positions for the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The UMS 2016 budget includes the reduction of 194 positions across the campuses, with an addition of 36. UMPI is the only campus not slated to see any additions. The University of Southern Maine is projected to see the largest number of positions cut at 119.
The elimination of those positions is slated to save the system $21.4 million, with other savings of $5.5 million in campus initiatives and approximately $5 million in administrative costs. Also forecast are increases of $636,000 in additional student revenue and $2.9 million in additional state appropriations.
“We are achieving savings and finding new revenues as we continue to make strong progress toward our goal of uniting Maine’s seven mission-differentiated campuses as One University,” said UMS Board Chair Sam Collins. “The results of our hard work strengthens our resolve to ensure that Maine’s universities remain pathways to opportunities and advancement for our students and the people of Maine.”
