Provost Asks Colleges for Permanent 12% Cut

REMINDER–There is a UC Board of Trustees meeting tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. The proposed 12% PERMANENT cut will NOT be on the agenda, but we encourage Faculty, and other University community members, to attend. The more faculty are present in these higher-level conversations, the more our role in the institution remains in the forefront of peoples’ minds. It is essential for faculty, staff, students, and alumni to remain informed and engaged in these important conversations about the University’s priorities, now more than ever.

> Register for the WebEx meeting HERE:

PROVOST ASKS COLLEGES FOR PERMANENT 12% CUT
There have been alarming developments in UC’s evolving financial response to COVID-19. The Provost has asked the colleges for a 12% PERMANENT cut in their annual operating budgets. This cut of 12% is less than previous percentages; however—and importantly—this is the first time that permanent cuts have been mandated.

A 12% permanent cut would seriously impair colleges’ ability to perform UC’s core academic functions of teaching and research. A permanent cut of this size would impact the staff the hardest. It is estimated that some colleges would have to lay-off as many as 50% of their staff. Our staff members, who are often on the lower range of UC’s pay scale, would lose their jobs, their paychecks, and their benefits. While UC’s upper administration continues to tout its 10% pay cut, it is important to remember that this is a one-time cut to 6-figure salaries for a limited period (14 months) and with no reduction in benefits.

It is unclear why the UC Administration is proposing this draconian measure at this late date, more than four months after the beginning of the crisis, and why, for the first time, the proposal is a permanent cut to address a temporary problem. AAUP-UC will be asking for an explanation of this distressing development. AAUP-UC is committed to opposing the 12% permanent cuts and working in solidarity with the staff to save these critically important jobs.

The Chapter has consistently advocated for a thoughtful, methodical response to the COVID-19 situation. The AAUP-UC|Faculty Senate Joint Budget Committee continues to work deliberately to understand the problem, propose solutions, and advocate for the core academic mission UC Faculty are committed to preserving. The Joint Committee has delivered a detailed request to the Administration for budgetary information and looks forward to a prompt response. Some in the Administration understand and support the Joint Committee’s work, and we are grateful for their help.

There will be a UC Board of Trustees meeting via WebEx on Tuesday morning (6/23) at 8:30 a.m.  The proposed cut will not be on the agenda but Faculty are encouraged to attend.

Since this process began, AAUP-UC has committed to being a good partner. That commitment remains, and we continue to welcome opportunities to work collaboratively and creatively to find solutions to the budget challenges facing UC. However, be assured that our commitment to preserving the core academic mission of the University also remains steadfast. We will continue to keep faculty updated as new developments arise.

Faculty, staff, students, and alumni must remain informed and engaged in these important conversations about the University’s priorities, now more than ever.

 

In solidarity,

Connie Kendall Theado
President, AAUP-UC