Budget Reduction Proposal

Dear Colleague,

The union understands that UF faces major reductions in state funding. However, we see three main problems with President Machen's Budget Reduction Proposal:

• • It assumes the University has no other resources for addressing the funding reductions, despite available evidence to the contrary.
• • It offers no explicit rationale for the specific budget cuts proposed in it.
• • It reflects inadequate consultation with faculty, thus violating the spirit of shared governance.

In addition, the Proposal was announced without official notice to or consultation with UFF, thus violating the letter of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Consequently, we see the Proposal as one President Machen intends to reconsider and modify in light of the response it will generate. UFF/UF is ready to consult with the administration, and we are confident that the Board of Trustees will act only after this consultation has taken place.

In the meantime, I assure you that UFF stands by you and will use all means at its disposal to protect the rights of faculty and the mission of the University of Florida. I urge you to make your views known to the union, so that it can represent these to the administration, the Board of Trustees, the university community, and the public.

Sincerely,

John Biro, President
United Faculty of Florida
238 Norman Hall, PO Box 117055
Phone: 392-0274
Email: president@uff-uf.org