Wyoming President Laurie Nichols started her job on a Monday, the Monday after the Friday when Governor Matt Mead told the UW trustees that they must whack an additional $35 million from the University budget. The state’s fiscal downturn has led to a $41 million cut from the UW budget.
Needless to say it’s been a stressful time. They’ve decided not to fund several positions, they convinced some people to retire early, and they are battling with professors in an effort to get them to teach more which would free up even more money. Nichols tells Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck that they still have $15 million to cut and now the cuts could come from programs and personnel, which will be very difficult.
