The University of Delaware is facing some serious budget challenges due to federal sequestration cuts.
Watch WDDE All Things Considered host Joseph Leahy's full interview with UD President Patrick Harker.
Watch WDDE All Things Considered host Joseph Leahy's full interview with UD President Patrick Harker.
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UD President Patrick Harker says the university is putting some of its new projects on hold and conservatively managing its budget, but he insists the school’s financial outlook is still “quite strong.”
“That said we still have some issues -- starting with the federal sequestration. That will mean a $5.5 million cut to us in terms of funding and that means money for faculty, post docs, lab techs and so forth. We’re worried about the long-term future. If the government doesn’t come up with a solution there will be additional cuts,” said Harker.
Harker says in addition to lost jobs, opportunities for research, innovation and business growth will also be lost if Congress does not act to prevent further effects of sequestration.
Other projects are still on track, however: The school’s Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (ISE) Lab is expected to be completed this spring. And, phase one of the university’s Science, Technology, and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus is slated for completion in less than a year.