Cuts possible at UW College of Arts and Sciences

The University of Washington (UW) is demanding the UW College of Arts and Sciences make immediate cuts, as reported by The Daily UW in an op-ed Monday.

According to the student newspaper, Dean Dianne Harris announced immediate 5% cuts on top of previously planned 7% cuts. Additionally, the 5% cuts must be achieved by June 30. The media outlet explained that UW is planning to lay off staff across departments, which the newspaper believes could threaten the school’s mission to expand education and research.

“The college has provided no evidence regarding how these cuts will affect students’ academic success or faculty members’ ability to teach and research,” The Daily UW wrote. “Its plan to centralize staff services seems focused on addressing only one goal: to cut the budget.”

Other ways to manage cuts without impacting UW College of Arts and Sciences

Other options, the media outlet shared in its op-ed, include pausing construction on the chemistry building, cutting salaries for administrators and faculty, and allowing departments to come up with alternative funding.

“The college’s current plan doesn’t just cut 5% from its budget,” The Daily UW wrote. “It shrinks its mission and shortchanges its values.”

According to the UW’s website, there are 17,870 Arts and Sciences students as of Autumn 2023 and 909 academic and research faculty, as of April 2023.

UW says no decisions made on layoffs

The University of Washington said there have been no layoffs yet as the College of Arts & Sciences faces significant budget reductions.

“No decisions have been made yet, and no employees have been laid off,” the university said in a statement. “We understand the notion of layoffs is a serious one that is deeply unsettling, and it is especially important to note that we would not take any such actions lightly.”

The university said the College of Arts & Sciences must reduce its budget by $12.5 million by June 30 to meet the requirements for a balanced fiscal year 2026 budget.

“This is in addition to the 7% reduction by FY27 that the college has been working on.”

UW said it has been reviewing several approaches to meet the budgetary requirements, including staffing considerations throughout the college.

“Consistent with practices across the university, cost reduction measures such as a pause on hiring and reductions in operational expenses, such as non-essential travel, supplies, and services, have already been implemented—and other measures will also be considered,” the statement said.

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