UI given 3 years to eliminate athletic department deficit

The University of Idaho has three more years to eliminate an Athletic Department budget deficit.

The Idaho State Board of Education said the deficit is projected to be just under $1 million in Fiscal Year 2018, which ends June 30.

“This Board has no interest in causing harm to student athletes, cutting athletic programs, or to micromanage this,” State Board Chairman Linda Clark said. “We do need to grant University leaders a fair amount of time to consider all factors and develop a plan. The onus for the plan falls on the University of Idaho.”

The board directed university leaders to develop a plan to eliminate the deficit by the end of Fiscal Year ’21. They were also directed to deliver annual progress reports each April and mid-year updates to the Board’s Business Affairs and Human Resources Committee.