- UConn seeks a new four-year tuition plan to help protect academic quality at the University in the face of ongoing financial challenges that are largely beyond the University’s control.
- UConn faces a deficit of at least $40 million in the next fiscal year, on top of whatever additional cuts are enacted, and future state funding is uncertain due to persistent budget problems.
- The proposed tuition increase for next year would generate approximately $12.8 million. The rest of the deficit must be closed by cutting costs and generating revenue elsewhere.
- UConn is now, and will remain, a great value.
Questions and Answers
Q: Why is UConn raising tuition?
A: To generate critical resources needed to protect academic quality in the face of substantial deficits and uncertain state funding.
Q: What does “protecting academic quality” mean?
A: It means:
- Ensuring we have enough faculty to teach all the classes that need to be offered to students on all campuses – helping the students to advance academically and graduate on time – and keeping classes small.
- Ensuring that we have outstanding faculty to conduct research and maintain our standing as a world-class research institution.
- Providing classrooms, laboratories and other facilities with the essential equipment, staffing and technology that faculty and students need to be successful.
- Offering the level of merit- and need-based financial aid necessary to recruit and retain great students and help keep their education at UConn affordable.
Q: Why do you have a deficit?
A: Because of the economic and fiscal situation in Connecticut and the challenges it has presented, funding for UConn from the state has not kept pace with the increase in mandatory contractual costs UConn must meet, which are beyond its control.
There have also been cuts and rescissions to UConn’s budget in recent years as the state has grappled with ongoing fiscal problems.
UConn is like every other state agency in this respect. The state has made extraordinary investments in UConn; if it had the resources, it is likely the state would invest more in higher education, not less.
Q: How big is UConn’s projected deficit next year?
A: More than $40 million in the next fiscal year (which begins July 1, 2016), in addition to whatever additional cuts or rescissions are made this year and next.
Q: How much in new revenue will next year’s tuition increase generate?
A: Approximately $12.8 million.
Q: How will UConn close the rest of the gap?
A: By cutting costs and finding ways to increase revenue. Cost-cutting will likely include hiring restrictions, workforce reductions, position eliminations, creating greater efficiencies, and program closures, among other things.