Budgetary Challenges

Last updated on May 16, 2011

In late 2008, as a financial crisis pushed the nation into a deep recession, colleges and universities began to suffer shrinking endowments, tightening credit, increased student aid needs and other budgetary pressures. In October University of Chicago President Robert J. Zimmer outlined the challenges facing this institution. Zimmer said that the University would continue to invest in its core mission and its top priorities, and challenged leaders across campus to find other ways to control costs and redirect resources. By the beginning of 2009, deans and officers were working with their divisions to make short-term adjustments and long-term plans that would support that vision and maintain the University's momentum, despite the continuing economic downturn.

Below are messages from Zimmer, Provost Thomas Rosenbaum and Kimberly Goff-Crews, Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students, as well as other resources pertaining to the economy and the University's response.

Additional Resources