Quick Facts
Facts About Budget Cuts for UNLV
- UNLV has experienced a 24 percent cut over the last two and a half years. These cuts have resulted in unpaid leave and furloughs and the elimination of 100 faculty positions, 260 staff positions, and nearly 1,000 class sections a year for students. The cuts to higher education were the largest of any state agency. During the same period, UNLV's enrollment has grown to almost 29,000 students.
- The governor has called for an additional 10 percent cut in UNLV's base budget, and we anticipate that additional across-the-board salary cuts may be introduced during the special session and would be on top of the 10 percent base cuts — making the impact on UNLV closer to 18 percent. If carried out, the cumulative cut to UNLV over two and a half years will be over 32 percent, not counting any potential across-the-board salary cuts.
- Cuts of this magnitude would mean UNLV would have to eliminate significantly more class sections, lay off faculty and staff, reduce or eliminate critical educational research programs, increase student fees and deny higher education to thousands of qualified students.
- There is no easy or immediate way to make cuts of this magnitude, nor is there any way to fully mitigate the impacts.
- These cuts will negatively affect Nevada's economy for decades to come through additional unemployment, a less-educated work force, less diversification of the economy and, ultimately, reduced value in a Nevada higher education degree.
- The current state $880 million economic shortfall has resulted in the governor calling a special session of the legislature to address the deficit. The special session will begin February 23.
- The current recession has resulted in many more Nevada students entering higher education in our state and these cuts will deny them access.
Benefits of Investing in Higher Education
Investing in higher education provides direct and tangible benefits to the local community. These benefits include:
- Work Force Preparation - UNLV is the primary source of diversified and highly educated workers for Nevada.
- Problem Solving for the Community, State and Region - UNLV is a leader in providing a practical education relevant to the needs of the region, which is a priority for the future of Nevada.
- Economic Impact - UNLV has a positive impact on the economy and brings in hundreds of millions of outside dollars through grants, contracts, and private donations, which can leverage state dollars.
- Economic Development - Universities like UNLV are the key to economic development because they expand and retain existing businesses and attract new industries seeking talented workers.
What You Can Do to Help
- Share your UNLV story with your friends and neighbors.
- Contact your community leaders and legislators to voice your concerns.
- Find your legislators and district.
- Contact your legislators.
