‘A difficult moment’: ISU announces sweeping changes amid budget constraints 

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on February 12, 2026

by: Devin Bodkin

POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State University is reshaping itself with sweeping changes in the face of current and looming state budget cuts.

That includes merging colleges, restructuring programs, “modest” student fee hikes and a range of other changes starting July 1 to try and save and generate millions by year’s end. The university released a complete budget restructuring plan Wednesday. ISU President Robert Wagner overviewed the changes in an accompanying video. 

The overhaul, which follows news of 44 position cuts at the university, reflects campus feedback, Wagner announced.

Details are still emerging, and EdNews will interview Wagner Friday to try and garner more clarity. Still, the latest update brings the university’s roadmap into clearer focus — and underscores what’s at stake for the 125-year-old institution: cutting costs without cutting its core mission. 

“This is a difficult moment in our university’s history,” Wagner said in the nearly 20-minute video. “It is appropriate to recognize that openly and honestly.” 

What’s changing — and why now 

The university’s scramble to adjust its budget follows state cuts that started with a 3% holdback for state agencies — including colleges and universities — last year. 

To add to the unease, more proposed cuts are moving through the Statehouse at a rapid pace this legislative session — and higher ed remains on the chopping block.

With those cuts in view, ISU’s adjustments span the gamut: 

Colleges are merging. 

It’s a major reorganization in the university’s academic affairs: 

• The College of Arts and Letters will combine with the College of Education to become the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences. 
• The College of Health will become the College of Nursing and Rehabilitative Sciences. 
• The College of Science and Engineering will consolidate departments.
• Arts programs will merge into a new School of Arts

Wagner and other leaders are banking on added revenue from performances through the new arts school. Projected savings include some $1.8 million from the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences merger.

Other cost savings stem from restructuring and eliminating positions at the university’s library, graduate school and Bengal Success Center.

Position reductions are in place. 

The university posted details — including projected dollar amounts — tied to previously announced position cuts.

The breakdown lists 44 positions within administrative, staff and faculty roles. Projected savings are $8.3 million

Here’s a closer look:

About 40% of these positions were vacant or planned retirements at the time of the announcement, the univAbout 40% of these positions were vacant or planned retirements at the time of the announcement, the university says.

Tuition and fee increases are on the table.

The University says it will set tuition and fees according to State Board of Education processes ahead of fee hearings set for March 2026.

The board will set fiscal year 2027 tuition rates in April of next year. ISU will share any changes in tuition following board approval, the university’s budget restructuring plan reads.

Meanwhile, some “modest” fee hikes will go into effect. But these are “market-aligned,” Wagner said, without mentioning a dollar amount. Rather, this new pricing will match the university’s “sister institutions.” 

A range of other changes are coming.

These include:

• A heavier reliance on local auxiliary revenue and philanthropy for the athletics budget
• A six-center “Innovation Hub” to help buoy an entrepreneurial push, including a new unit to manage health clinics and the Idaho Accelerator Center
• Closure of ISU’s Research Data Center
• Shifting computing efforts to the state-owned Collaborative Computing Center in Idaho Falls, which the Idaho National Laboratory leases. 

Click here for the entire budgeting plan.

Uncertainty still looms 

Wagner and his university’s budget plan peg financial impacts from the moves at $8.3 million in savings and revenue by 2026. 

But, he added in his video recording, this is the first phase. More cuts could come, and final impacts will depend on lawmakers. 

The prospect of more cuts from the Legislature this session fueled a recent request from state budget writers for ISU and other institutions to lay out scenarios in the event of further belt-tightening. University leaders told lawmakers a second batch in addition to the 3% holdbacks that hit last year would mean mandatory furloughs this fiscal year, affecting employees who make more than $60,000 annually. 

The plan released Wednesday acknowledges that possibility.

Staff reductions and restructuring would also apply if further cuts happen, university leaders told lawmakers, further impacting student services and in-demand workforce programs.