UNC’s cost cutting measures have increased from a $70 million target to over $89 million in total savings over three years.
WRAL previously reported about the plan for cuts last summer.
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$2 million in cuts will come from “low performing academic programs.”
Interim Provost Jim Dean told Trustees in January that after an initial screening looking at degrees awarded and student credit hour trends, 28 programs and 19 departments needed further review.
At the most recent March meeting, the new provost Magnus Egerstedt told Trustees he'd rather call these underenrolled programs, and he wants to take a more holistic look.
"I have asked, committed, to take a step back and try to be a little more deep and holistic about how we're evaluating them. Doesn't change the numbers that we're looking at,” Egerstedt said. “We're going to deliver those, but not just counting butts in seats as it's sometimes referred to."
$7 million of cost cutting will come from “Centers and Institutes,” which has caused controversy on campus.
The University will also save about $17 million as it trims how much it’s spending on non-resident financial aid.
During the March 25th discussion, UNC Chief Financial Officer Nate Knuffman told Trustees while the uncertainty at the federal level is still a cause for concern, severe cuts look unlikely.
He pointed to the continued lack of a state budget as another external factor, and a need to focus on cost control on campus.
Cuts to administrative staff are the largest saving category, at $25 million.
Knuffman explained that group includes a wide range of employees.
"It's people who operate our energy plant,” he said. “It's the lawyers in our counsel's office."
The budget isn’t all cost cutting; it accounts for enrollment growth, funding for STEM, and AI research.
Campus safety initiatives, including a real-time information center and more camera coverage, are also funded.
“I think that's every parent's worst nightmare is the idea of whether their kids at risk during a shooting,” Trustee Marty Kotis said.
Another focus is ROI for the state; the budget increases support to programs that are growing.
“There are real costs associated with enrollment growth, in terms of additional faculty, student support. There's also real benefit to the state. It does equal additional pressure on our classrooms and labs,” Knuffman said. “This is a budget that relies on budget reductions and savings to make modest investments, and it certainly maintains our commitment to affordability."