Guam Legislature committee hears $5.75 million supplemental request to shore up University of Guam operations and accreditation needs

The Committee of the Whole heard testimony on Bill 58-38 COR on a supplemental appropriation of $5,750,984 from FY2025 excess general fund revenues to the University of Guam (UOG) for operations, repairs and maintenance, capital improvement projects and accreditation-related priorities.

Senator Vince Borja, the bill’s author, told the committee the appropriation responds to a funding shortfall that left UOG with a projected cash gap. "This is not a political issue. This is about Guam's future," Borja said, urging colleagues to support the measure so the university can maintain operations and accreditation-related work.

UOG officials described how the requested amount was calculated and how it would be used. The university said it originally identified a roughly $12.4 million gap and narrowed that to $5.75 million by removing several items from the request, including a 5% faculty salary adjustment, IT modernization and some capital repairs. In the funding breakdown presented to the committee, UOG proposed $1,000,000 for capital improvements (primarily roof and skylight work), $392,686 for repairs and maintenance, and $4,358,298 for accreditation-related priorities.

President (name not specified) and UOG senior leadership told senators the bulk of the $4.36 million for accreditation-related priorities would cover personnel who support academic programs and student services required by accrediting agencies. Provost Charlene Santos Bamba told the committee, "Accreditation review is basically a 360 degree review of the entire institution," and said accreditors evaluate academic programs, student support, facilities, research and financial sustainability.

University witnesses gave more specifics in response to senators’ questions. Rachel Field, UOG budget officer, and Randy Wiegand, UOG vice president for administration and finance, explained that the $4.3 million component represents prorated salary and benefit costs for existing faculty and staff who sustain accreditation and operations during the remainder of FY2025. UOG said summer courses are paid from tuition revenues and that adjunct pay for summer classes is not funded from the local appropriation the bill would supply.

Senators pressed for detail about use of funds for new buildings. UOG said the $5.75 million does not include most furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) for newly completed facilities; the university identified about $2,000,000 needed for FF&E for the School of Engineering and described efforts to secure quotes and alternative funding for other projects. UOG staff said portions of FF&E for the Student Success Center received $900,000 from U.S. Treasury funds previously allocated by the governor’s office.

Officials from the Office of Finance and Budget (OFB), the Department of Administration (DOA) and the Bureau of Budget and Management Research (BBMR) answered committee questions about fiscal capacity. Ed Byrne (DOA) and a BBMR representative said monthly revenue reports (CRER) show collections above estimates and that, after previously appropriated items, an estimated $27.5 million remained as excess revenue available for appropriation at the time of the hearing. DOA staff cautioned that interim reports are snapshots and that final audited numbers may differ when the comprehensive audit is complete.

Committee members repeatedly asked UOG what would happen if the appropriation does not pass. UOG leaders said they have implemented a spending plan and vacancy freezes, and they are exploring cost-efficiency and revenue-enhancement measures, but they warned that without supplemental funds the university could face furloughs, program reductions or phased program consolidations later in the summer. UOG representatives estimated the university could deplete available operating funds by July if no additional appropriations are provided.

The hearing included requests from senators for written detail. Senator Sabrina Salas Montanani asked for the specific listing of positions and costs tied to the accreditation-related category; UOG agreed to provide the committee clerks a detailed breakdown. UOG also said it will forward specifications and bid packages for planned capital repairs; officials said the roof and skylight work would likely use a mix of in-house labor and outside contractors and that most repair projects would be on the order of six months once started.

No final committee recommendation or vote on Bill 58-38 COR was recorded in this hearing; the Committee recessed after the first round of questioning and planned further rounds, panelist responses and amendments when it reconvened.