UM Takes “Cost Savings” Measures

The University of Missouri System is continuing to search for ways to cut its budget.In the 2012 fiscal year, the system saved more than $80 million. Approximately 75 percent of those savings came through managing and reducing costs within the universities, including eliminating jobs and not filling vacant positions.The system also saved money by negotiating expenses, tuition fees and using technology more efficiently. Despite saving that money, it will be taken from the system.Budget managers are no longer spending $60 million of what used to be considered essential costs.First, they are postponing necessary maintenance and repairs, which saves $23 million. UM officials say several buildings need improvements, but they likely will not happen this year. Specific buildings needing repairs were not mentioned, however if the system were to repair all buildings, it would total $1.29 billion.The next tactic is to remove jobs and not hire for vacant positions. Those combine to about $9 million in savings. About $4.5 million would come from cuts just in Columbia. University System officials would not specify which positions were cut or which would be left unfilled. The officials referred those questions to MU representatives, who referred questions back to the UM System.