University of Idaho outlines budget recovery, INL partnership and status of Phoenix deal; SBOE DEI changes lead to office reorganizations

University of Idaho President C. Scott Green told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 27 that the university’s financial position has stabilized after deep budget adjustments early in the decade, but the university continues to manage restricted liabilities, federal research pass‑throughs and program reorganizations prompted by a State Board of Education policy change.

Why it matters: The University of Idaho is the state’s land‑grant research university; its operating budget, federal research awards and facility requests affect statewide workforce development, energy and water research, and medical education capacity.

Budget overview and reserves: Budget analyst Kevin Campbell told the committee the University of Idaho has an enrollment of about 12,286 students, supported by approximately 1,352 full‑time equivalent positions, and a FY2025 base budget cited at about $196.3 million. Campbell and Green reviewed past reductions, including a $26 million base reduction taken in FY2021 to align expenses with revenues. Green said the university has improved its financial position and “maintains sufficient cash reserves to support its short‑term and long‑term obligations,” but that accounting for retiree benefit liabilities (OPEB) produced an effect on unrestricted reserve ratios. Green told the committee the university’s total net position is positive and cited a $319 million total net position figure, but said unrestricted net…