University of Idaho reports improved finances, outlines DEI restructuring and Phoenix talks; highlights INL partnership

University of Idaho President C. Scott Green told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 27 that the university’s financial position has "greatly improved" since a $26 million base reduction, but that unusual accounting items and legacy obligations continue to affect certain reserve measures.

Green and Legislative Services Office analyst Kevin Campbell presented an overview of the university’s budget, enrollment and recent policy changes during a hearing that also covered questions about a potential affiliation with the private University of Phoenix, restructuring of diversity and equity offices, and partnerships with Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Why it matters: The University of Idaho is the state’s land‑grant research university and the only public four‑year institution in Idaho with a broad research and medical‑education role. Budget and policy decisions for the institution influence statewide research capacity, medical training pipelines, workforce development, and local economies across Idaho.

Budget overview

Campbell told the committee the university has an enrollment of about 12,286 students, about 1,352 full‑time equivalent employees supporting instruction and services, and a base General Fund appropriation of roughly $196,300,000. He said about 68.5% of the university’s budget is personnel costs and about 29.3% is operating expenditures.

Campbell and Green described recent budget actions: the university implemented a $26 million base reduction in FY‑21, largely through voluntary separations, and later received enhancements, including a FY‑24 ‘‘governor’s…