University of Idaho describes improved finances, growing enrollment and partnerships; committees seek details on grants and DEI reorganization

Kevin Campbell of the Legislative Services Office presented the University of Idaho’s budget overview and said the university’s estimated expenditures include reappropriated tuition and fee dollars. "Madam Co Chair, Mr. Co Chair, members of the committee, my name is Kevin Campbell. I'm a Budget and Policy Analyst with the Legislative Services Office," he began, then detailed a five-year funding history, endowment funds and recent enhancements.

President C. Scott Green told the committee the university’s finances have improved since earlier structural deficits and described enrollment gains tied in part to the LAUNCH program. "For the record, I'm Scott Green, President of the University of Idaho," he said. He described recent actions to stabilize operations, the university’s work with Idaho National Laboratory and other research partnerships, and the status of a potential affiliation with the private University of Phoenix.

Why it matters: The University of Idaho is Idaho’s land-grant research university; its budget, reserve levels and research partnerships inform statewide workforce development, energy and water research, and medical education capacity. Committee members pressed for transparency on federal research pass-throughs, the university’s net position accounting, and implementation of a State Board of Education directive affecting diversity, equity and inclusion offices.

Key points from testimony and questioning

- Size and budget: The University reported an enrollment of about 12,286 students supported by 1,352 FTE and a base general-fund budget reported near $196.3 million. (Kevin Campbell)

- Financial position and accounting items: President Green described steps taken after earlier fiscal strain, including a $26 million base reduction in FY2021 and the discontinuation of retiree medical benefits (OPEB) that affected unrestricted reserve calculations. He said the university maintains a positive total net position when restricted balances are included and that cash reserves are sufficient for obligations; he also acknowledged work remains to meet State Board reserve targets. (C. Scott Green)

- University of Phoenix affiliation timeline and financial protections: President Green said the university received a $5 million payment at signing of the purchase agreement and the sellers extended an exclusive negotiation deadline to June 10; if the sellers do not proceed with the University of Idaho, the agreement includes a breakup fee of up to $20 million to offset expenses already incurred. Any affiliation would require legislative and State Board review. (C. Scott Green)

- Federal grants and pass-throughs: Committee members sought a list of subrecipients and asked whether the legislature should increase oversight of federal awards that are managed or passed through by the university. President Green said the university will provide requested details and noted the institution acts as a lead on multi‑institution research contracts that then distribute funds to collaborating entities. (C. Scott Green)

- DEI offices and reorganization: After a State Board resolution, the university closed a set of DEI‑named offices and reassigned employees to other roles and to the Dean of Students; President Green said services will continue under consolidated units (Vandal Success and a first‑generation student support unit) and that some positions were not refilled. He said funding for the former DEI offices did not come from the general fund. (C. Scott Green)

- Research and INL partnership: Green described long-standing collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory, signing a formal agreement to focus on nuclear materials and fuel cycling, nuclear integrated energy systems and power engineering aligned to state energy goals. He cited examples of ongoing research such as 3‑D printing for reactor parts and other projects linking research to regional industry needs. (C. Scott Green)

Committee follow-up and requests

Committee members asked for further documentation including job descriptions for former DEI roles and the new positions, a list of federal pass‑through subrecipients, and clarification of net-position calculations in public reports. The committee postponed the remainder of the systemwide colleges-and-universities hearing to allow time for those follow-ups.

Ending

President Green closed by summarizing the university’s economic impact and recent student-success initiatives and said the institution will provide additional materials to the committee. No formal votes or appropriations decisions were taken at the hearing.

(Discussion only; committee directed staff and the university to provide follow-up materials.)