An important component of the Knights Advocates program is to keep stakeholders informed. This section provides details on UCF's budget — including cuts, expenses and current funding — and UCF's contributions and impact to the local and state economy.

Budget Information

• In total, UCF has had $77.2 million in recurring funds cut from its budget since July 1, 2007. This includes the most current cut of $28 million for the 2009-10 fiscal-year budget. In other words, UCF's budget has been cut by more than $100,000 every day since July 1, 2007, through July 1, 2009.

• Despite these cuts, we have continued to attract the best and brightest students, conduct groundbreaking research, and provide positive economic and social benefits for our community. Our university has remained dedicated to our primary goal: serving students.

3-Year Budget Cut Summary:

2011-12 Fiscal Year

• UCF is scheduled to receive $18 million in federal stimulus money each of the next two years to offset cuts. As helpful as this money is short term, it is not an answer to the budget deficit in the long run, as this money will not be available in the 2012-13 fiscal year. The cuts to UCF's base budget are permanent, but the stimulus money will disappear after the two years. The university must plan now how to address the loss when it occurs.

• In addition to finding funds to replace the stimulus money for 2011-12, UCF is still funding the College of Medicine. One billion dollars of construction has been completed and another $1 billion is committed. This is a substanial investment that is predicted to produce an even larger return to the university and Orlando area when finished.

Legislative Summary

The 2010 Legislative Session is now in its fourth week, and it is expected that on Wednesday or Thursday the House and Senate will each pass their respective Appropriation Bills, thus setting the stage for several weeks of conference committees to hammer out the differences.

Considering the tough economic times, both the State University System (SUS) and UCF in particular are somewhat like Goldilocks — not too bad, but not real good. When you add up all of the budgetary devices, the Senate Budget has a net increase over last year's budget of about 6 percent for higher education, and the House has a net increase of about 1 percent. The current difference is approximately a $200 million gap for the entire SUS.

For UCF specifically, both houses have essentially the same funding figure for the UCF College of Medicine, falling just short of the Board of Governors' request, but with a number that still keeps us on track for bringing in our next class and securing final accreditation. Tuition will most likely be raised by 15 percent with an 8-percent increase leveled by the legislature and the remaining 7-percent increase coming from the tuition differential increase that local boards of trustees can enact.

Breaking news this week is word that the Board of Governors of the SUS and the Legislature have settled their differences in the current legal challenges over which entity has the legal right to establish tuition rates. All reports indicate that the settlement at this stage is quite favorable to the universities, but it will require implementing legislation by session end.

Now is the time for you to contact your state legislators — or any with whom you have a personal relationship — and to share the following:

• Thank them for their continued support for the UCF College of Medicine.
• Re-state the importance that higher education, and UCF in particular, play in economic development for both the state and Central Florida.

Thank you for your engagement as a UCF Knights Advocates and making your voice heard in the political arena.