University of Idaho says finances improved after deep cuts but reserve metrics and OPEB accounting remain issues; Phoenix talks continue

BOISE, Idaho — 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” following a roughly $26 million base reduction taken in recent years but said accounting for retiree medical obligations means the university still does not meet some reserve thresholds.

Green said the university took aggressive steps to stabilize cash flow after arriving with a structurally weak budget. "We're about 18 months from running out of cash," Green said recounting the situation he inherited, and added the institution has since stabilized through employee separations, cost reductions and enrollment gains.

Why it matters: University of Idaho is the state's land‑grant research university and the largest public research institution in Idaho; its fiscal health affects statewide research, workforce and extension functions. Green described a mix of restricted and unrestricted net position that complicates reserve calculations used by the State Board of Education.

Financial position and OPEB accounting: Kevin Campbell, Legislative Services Office analyst, told the committee the University of Idaho’s FY2025 base budget is roughly $196.3 million and enrollment about 12,286…