President Napolitano announces budget cuts

University of California President Janet Napolitano announced a series of steps today (Jan. 22) to flatten out the Office of the President budget through a hiring cap, travel reductions and other fiscal cutbacks.

Addressing the UC Board of Regents during its meeting at UC San Francisco's Mission Bay campus, Napolitano said the overall Office of the President budget will remain flat for the 2014–15 fiscal year, while some areas will see actual cuts to compensate for mandatory costs such as pension contributions.

"We will undertake a priority-based budget process covering the next two years that, aligned with the ongoing efficiency review and in consultations with the campuses, will determine the appropriate size, shape and roles of the Office of the President," she said.

Napolitano, who began her tenure as president less than four months ago, said she was implementing an immediate cap on overall staffing at the Office of the President at its current level.

"Any replacement positions will be subject to prior approval by me or my designees, and departments will be required to develop staffing plans that address future needs and attrition," she said. "Any use of outside consultants or independent contractors will also need prior approval. And finally, there will be a 10 percent reduction in overall travel by UCOP."

Napolitano said the cutbacks at the systemwide headquarters — which will require budget reductions of up to 6.5 percent in some areas — are part of an effort to lead by example.