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The University of Northern Colorado鈥檚 (黑料老司机) Board of Trustees met on Friday, May 9, to discuss a full agenda, including third quarter financial reports for fiscal year 2025 (FY25) and the preliminary budget for FY26. 

黑料老司机 President Andy Feinstein opened the meeting with news that the state recently approved a 2.5% increase in funding over last year and a 3.5% cap on tuition increases for resident undergraduate students for all institutions of higher education across Colorado. 黑料老司机鈥檚 portion of the state funding is equal to a 2.3% increase, or $1.7 million, over last year鈥檚 allocation. 

While the state allocation still falls short of the collective funding request from Colorado鈥檚 institutions of higher education to cover estimated cost increases, Feinstein said it鈥檚 a welcome alternative to other potential outcomes. Facing a state budget deficit of $1.2 billion, lawmakers had to make difficult choices for FY26 and at one point considered the possibility of reducing funding for higher education. 

Feinstein said the increase in funding will certainly help for next fiscal year, but the university must remain prudent in planning as 黑料老司机 is facing a $4 million shortfall at the end of the current fiscal year. The projection includes approximately $1 million the university will save over the last six months of the fiscal year by implementing a cost control measure to temporarily pause hiring activities for all new and vacant positions. The measure, which went into effect in February, was implemented to give time for each position to be reviewed and to ensure only critical positions were approved. 

鈥淲e continue to do everything possible to protect the jobs of our current employees,鈥� said Feinstein. 鈥淏ut, as we have discussed, it is not sustainable to simply balance the budget each year through cutting costs and implementing short-term measures.  

鈥淎s we prepare for the next fiscal year, I have been meeting weekly with my cabinet to discuss how we manage our budget and effectively position 黑料老司机 for the future. Over time, we will need to continue taking steps to improve 黑料老司机鈥檚 long-term financial position. And I remain committed to this work,鈥� said Feinstein. 

According to Dale Pratt, vice president for Finance and Administration, the factors contributing to the FY25 shortfall include lower-than-expected enrollment, unexpected increases in institutional aid due to changes in the FAFSA, a decrease in revenue from oil and gas and interest earnings on cash balances and higher-than-expected personnel expenses as turnover rates are at a historical low.  

Pratt also mentioned a significant increase in non-personnel expenses related to one-time events, including an increase in purchased services related to a fire in Candelaria Hall, flooding in Harrison and Turner halls and repair of the university鈥檚 high temperature hot water system. 

Despite university-wide efforts to significantly reduce expenses and increase revenues over the past few years, Pratt said those changes haven鈥檛 been as effective as he had hoped. Moving forward, Pratt said the university must refine its expectations, manage spending more carefully and budget more conservatively.  

As Pratt closed the budget outlook presentation, several trustees voiced concerns and reinforced the need for the university to think about the long-term fiscal sustainability of the university.  They noted the importance of moving from small steps taken on a year-by-year basis to more substantial actions that will better position 黑料老司机 into the future. 

Faculty-led Recruitment and Retention Efforts 

Showcasing their commitment to help increase student recruitment and retention, a panel of faculty members from each college presented strategies they have implemented to support student success.  

Representing the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Student Retention Task Force, Professor of Anthropology Britney Kyle shared examples of how faculty in her college have created a collection of resources and tools that help students feel supported in and out of the classroom. The information is shared among faculty to encourage others to adopt helpful practices. Some of the strategies include providing helpful information and resources about faculty office hours, the availability of cost-saving classroom materials, assignment design and advising. Acknowledging that these efforts may not be solely responsible for recent increases in retention, Kyle said the 2024 fall-to-spring retention rate for new, first-time HSS students was at its highest ever at 93.8%. 

Representing 黑料老司机鈥檚 School of Teacher Education, Professor of Literacy Education Suzette Youngs presented on the success of the university鈥檚 Future Teacher Conference. The event gives high school and community college students an idea of what 鈥榓 day in the life鈥� of a 黑料老司机 Educator Prep student looks like. What started in 2015 with about 35 students in attendance, has grown into a signature annual event for the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Last January, 黑料老司机 had over 617 registrants for its 10th annual conference and gave out three $1,000 scholarships to aspiring future teachers in attendance.  

Other faculty members who spoke about recruitment and retention efforts in their departments and colleges include Director of the School of Art and Design Donna Goodwin, Professor and Chair of Criminology and Criminal Justice Brian Iannacchione, Associate Chair and Professor of Mathematical Sciences Katie Morrison and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Rachel Roberts. Provost and Executive Vice President Kirsten Fleming introduced the panel and emphasized the important role of faculty members in supporting student success. 

View the Board of Trustees Finance and Audit Committee鈥檚 May 9 meeting documents online, including the FY26 Preliminary Budget Review.