Proposed cuts could cost 80-125 positions at UW

The University of Wyoming would lose 80 to 125 faculty and staff positions under proposed budget cuts submitted to Gov. Matt Mead on Tuesday. Falling energy revenues prompted Mead to order state agencies to prepare for 8% budget cuts in the fiscal year that starts July 2013. An 8% cut in state funding would cost Wyoming's only 4-year public university about $15.7 million a year. Because employee salaries make up about 75% of UW's general fund budget, UW President Tom Buchanan says workforce losses are inevitable but most could be handled through attrition. However, in order for that to work the university must expand its practice of carefully reviewing each position that comes open. Such a review process is already used with faculty positions.