The long-term financial future and a proposal from the Student Planning and Construction Committee were two of the main topics at the University of Oregon Board of Trustees meeting held June 1-2 in Eugene.
Chief Financial Officer Jamie Moffitt presented on Day One the quarterly finance report as well as on the Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital expenditure budget to the Finance and Facilities Committee. Later in the afternoon, Moffitt presented to the full board about the Education and General Fund’s long-term financial projections, detailing the need for $65 million in budget reductions because of the budget shortfall the university announced in May.
Moffitt presented on how declining enrollment from out-of-state students was one of a few factors that has led university leadership to announce it will work through December on solutions to prepare the university for the new budget reality facing the UO and many institutions across the country. The UO is projecting 1,888 out-of-state students to enroll next fall, down from 2,306 the year prior.
“One year can be an aberration,” President Karl Scholz said. “Two years is a pattern, and I believe we have to treat it as a new reality.”
Day One also featured standing reports from President Scholz, Provost Christopher P. Long, University Senate President Dyana Mason, outgoing Associated Students of the University of Oregon President Prissila Moreno, incoming ASUO President Quadrian Gil and board chairman Steve Holwerda. Long echoed during his report echoed the president’s sentiment that now was the time for the university to act.
“We do not have the luxury of being unintentional,” Long said. “We do not have the luxury of being unfocused.”
During the second day of the meeting a proposal from the Student Planning and Construction Committee to put building fee funds toward purchasing a new electrode boiler to reduce carbon emissions was tabled for a special meeting of the trustees so more time could be given to the wording of the resolution.
Also on Day Two, the FY27 expenditure authorization was approved with language added that a follow-up would be needed at the December trustees meeting once the cuts to the E&G budget were known. The FY27 audit plan, a licensing agreement between the UO and Fanatics, and the official naming of the new UO beach volleyball team’s courts to Duck Dunes were also approved.
Board chair Holwerda and vice chair Marcia Aaron were also reelected to three-year terms.
The agenda, materials and recordings of the meeting are available on the board website.
—Ben Schorzman, University Communications