University of Idaho reports improved finances, waits on Phoenix deal; SB0E DEI ruling reshapes campus offices

University of Idaho President C. Scott Green and Legislative Services Office analyst Kevin Campbell briefed Idaho’s Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 27 on the university’s budget, enrollment and program changes, and described a pending potential affiliation with the University of Phoenix sellers that remains under negotiation.

Campbell opened the University of Idaho segment by noting the university’s enrollment of about 12,286 students and a FY2025 base appropriation figure presented to the committee of roughly $196.3 million. Campbell described the University of Idaho as a land‑grant research university with several endowed funds tied to timber and mineral revenues and reminded members that tuition and fee reappropriation is treated separately from general fund appropriations in the budget presentations.

President Green said the university’s financial position ‘‘has greatly improved’’ since he arrived, but he acknowledged accounting liabilities related to retiree medical benefits (OPEB) remain on the balance sheet. Green told the committee the university took a large base reduction in recent years and has stabilized, but that an historical accounting change — the cost of retiree medical benefits — required reclassifying funds and reduced unrestricted net position. Green cited a positive total net position when combining restricted and unrestricted reserves.

Pending University of Phoenix transaction

Green told the committee the university has a non‑exclusive agreement with the sellers of the University of Phoenix that extends to June 10…