UI President Sally Mason proposed a four-prong plan at the state Board of Regents meeting today.

Mason’s plan included: stimulus funds, reduction in building projects, a spring tuition surcharge, and temporary reduction to employee benefits.

A redirection of stimulus funds composed the largest portion of the plans presented today. Mason proposed using $13 million of the leftover federal funds, meeting over half the necessary cuts.

A further $5.1 million would be saved under the reductions to building projects, $3.2 million would be saved in reductions to employee benefits packages, and $2.1 million would be garnered by the surcharge, Mason said. The plans are still subject to board approval.

Absent from the proposal are significant layoffs or furloughs, which Mason said were given consideration, but would not be necessary.

Mason said it was difficult to make cuts without layoffs, but said it was imperative to maintain jobs.

“It’s never easy, but it’s all about trying to protect the people,” Mason said.

Mason said fewer than 20 positions would need to be cut.

Throughout her presentation, Mason reminded regents of the lasting effects previous budget cuts have had on the university and said these cuts would leave their own impact on the UI.

“The path we are heading down with budget cuts of this magnitude will forever change the university,” Mason said.