CSUN University News Clippings

UCI budget cuts spike to $77 million

(July 29, 2009)

by Gary Robbins
Published: 7/28/09

UC Irvine’s budget problems keep getting worse.

The university now says that it will have to cut $77 million to help the state balance its budget, which could mean deeper layoffs and fewer classes at Orange County’s largest employer.

The new figure is almost twice as high as the original estimate. In early June, UCI said it would have to reduce its 2009-10 budget by $40 million. As the state’s fiscal condition worsened, the figure rose to $55 million, then $70 million. Now, it’s $77 million.

As the Register’s Brian Joseph reported earlier today, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the state budget this morning, “but used his line-item veto authority to cut an additional $489 million in spending.”

Cathy Lawhon, director of media relations at UCI, said by email that, “In light of the latest round of cuts imposed in the state budget, our cut is up to $77 million now. I don’t have any new specifics, however, on where that money will come from. It’s grim.”

The entire UC system is helping to balance the state budget through more than $800 million in furloughs, student fee increases, layoffs and other belt-tightening measures.

Publication: Orange County Register