I want to provide a real-world understanding of what the Freedom Caucus’s $40 million budget cut will mean to UW. The $40 million cut covers the “biennium” — two years — so we are talking $20 million per year. Eighty percent of all budgeted dollars pay for human beings to work — i.e., salaries and benefits for faculty and staff. So, a $20 million cut means $16 million (80%) less to pay for people. Consider $1 million funds about 10 people, so $16 million funds about 160 people per year. That means if these budget cuts go through, it’s likely UW will lose approximately 160 talented and dedicated employees. In a word, it will be devastating. 

For years, UW has punched above its weight, attracting highly talented, bright-star faculty members to teach and mentor our children. That has happened because the citizens of Wyoming have believed investing in the education of our young people is critical to their lives and key to the state’s healthy advancement. These cuts threaten to undo all of that. We will lose talented faculty, staff and programs. We will see a brain drain. And, as that occurs, our Wyoming students (and their parents) will begin looking elsewhere to find top-quality college education. Forever we have asked the question in Wyoming: What can we do to help keep our Wyoming kids from leaving the state? Well, let’s be real. This action by the Freedom Caucus sends a clear message to our young people: We no longer value a high-quality University of Wyoming education so you may as well look elsewhere. 

And just in case you’re wondering, UW cannot just “absorb” these cuts. We do not have buckets of money just sitting around. Like everywhere else, margins are razor-thin. It costs a lot to run a flagship land grant university — one guaranteed by our State constitution. Simply put, these cuts will do deep harm that could set UW back for generations.

And ask yourself why. Why? It’s not because the State of Wyoming is out of money. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a state that benefits magnificently from our vast natural resources, Wyoming’s coffers are strong. No, simply put, these are unnecessary, unwise cuts for the sake of cutting.

Many woke up the day after depressed by the news. I admit I did, too. But, after some time to reflect, I’ve decided to quit my whining and get to work. This message is my first, but it won’t be my last. I invite everyone who loves and cares about our dear UW to do the same. Let’s roll up our sleeves grass roots style. The proposed budget cuts will be voted on when the full Legislature meets in Cheyenne in February. Now is the time to speak up. Our Wyoming legislators need to hear from us.

(Brad Bonner is a University of Wyoming trustee from Park County and a co-owner of the Tribune.)