Over the last few weeks, you have heard messages from me and the provost outlining the imperative need for the University to undergo a redesign so that we can emerge from the impact of COVID-19 in a way that financially stabilizes the institution and positions us for the future.
As part of that effort, we need to build a budget within the reality of our available resources, which have been significantly reduced. We need to work together to provide feedback on the plan put forth by the deans and the Office of Academic Affairs. And we need to do these things quickly. No aspect of the University is exempt from the need to contribute to the overall budget redesign.
As I have stated before, The University of Akron is committed to having a Division I athletics program, but the cost to do so must be significantly reduced.
I have asked Director of Athletics Larry Williams to develop a plan to significantly reduce the University’s financial support to the Athletics department and he has made a recommendation that does so by approximately 23 percent ($4.4 million). I appreciate his efforts and understand that these are hard decisions, but they need to be made.
The Director of Athletics will be sharing more of the details of his plan with the campus community via email today.
Thank you again for your collective efforts as we work together to address these challenges.
Respectfully,
Gary L. Miller
President
The University of Akron