Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray today released a report with new insights into the University of the District of Columbia’s financial picture, and how a lack of changes on its main campus may negatively impact its growing community college. The Washington Post reports that the review, conducted by a City Council-appointed advisory board, indicates that salaries and faculty positions at UDC far outnumber what is required to serve its student enrollment, and more than $51 million could be cut and used for community college expansion.

“Nearly three-quarters of UDC’s faculty are full or associate professors as compared with a 40 percent average for peer institutions. Salaries for all faculty are 33 percent above the median salary at peer institutions,” the report says, using data from an analysis of the 2010-2011 school year. The analysis found that UDC’s expenditures could be slashed by more than $51 million if its costs per full-time student were on par with similar schools.

UDC is seeking accreditation for the two-year institution to operate as a branch under the flagship campus. In early 2011, officials petitioned the city council for more than $8 million in additional funding to keep up with enrollment, which had grown to more than 2,500 students in less than two years. UDC faces an Oct. 1 deadline to submit a plan for fiscal adjustment based on enrollment and limited funding from the city.

 

University of the District of Columbia