The impending budget cut to UNMC will mark the fourth such reduction over the past three years.
During two previous special sessions and the 2002 regular session, the Nebraska Legislature reduced the University of Nebraska’s allocation by about $33 million. At UNMC, those reductions amounted to about $6.7 million.
The most recent budget cut, announced in August 2002, amounted to a $3 million reduction at UNMC. The following reduction strategies were announced in September to deal with those cuts. These reductions are in the process of being implemented.
- Eliminate state funding for the Division of Biomedical Communications. The division provides educational support services for UNMC faculty and staff. These services include audio/visual support, graphic assistance and video production. These reductions will amount to $527,543 in state general fund savings, and staff positions totaling 11.5 full-time equivalency (FTE) will be eliminated. Alternative funding is being arranged for mission critical activities.
- Eliminate state funding for medical resident malpractice insurance. UNMC will work with its clinical partner, Nebraska Health System (NHS), to cover these costs. The savings will amount to $326,349 in state general funds.
- Eliminate a proposed satellite education site for senior students in the College of Pharmacy, producing a savings of $250,000 in state general funds. With the reductions, 2.5 FTE faculty positions will be eliminated.
- Eliminate state general fund support of $217,500 for four residencies in the College of Medicine.
- Reduce Business and Finance costs. UNMC hopes to achieve a $1 million savings in state general fund money by reducing its utility consumption and decreasing the amount of money used for utility maintenance. The university also will save another $382,500 by reducing Business and Finance operations, including facilities costs and collaborative cuts in purchasing with the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
- Decrease UNMC subsidies to contracted state social services. UNMC has contracts with the state to provide these services. In addition, UNMC provides resources beyond those that are stipulated by the contracts. Those subsidies are being reduced by $150,000 of general fund money.
- Eliminate state general fund support for the UNMC Alumni Office. A $200,000 savings will be realized, and 3.6 FTE staff positions will be eliminated. UNMC will work to secure alternative funding for this purpose.
- Eliminate ongoing state support for Grand Island College Park, generating a state general fund savings of $15,000. UNMC services at College Park will be used on a “pay as you go” basis.