Durham, NH — The University of New Hampshire and the broader University System of New Hampshire (USNH) made their case at the State House this week, urging lawmakers not to reduce funding beyond the cuts already proposed in Governor Kelly Ayotte’s budget.

On Monday, March 3, USNH Chancellor Cathy Provencher appeared before the state’s House Finance Committee, outlining the system’s financial challenges and its ongoing efforts to reduce costs. Her message was clear: the proposed 8% reduction in higher ed funding — already baked into the governor’s budget — is manageable, but any deeper cuts could have significant consequences for students and the state’s future workforce.

“While we plan to increase tuition and fees, this alone will not be sufficient to close the gap,” wrote UNH President Elizabeth Chilton and Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Adam Aaron in a recent campus-wide message. The university “continues to face a structural deficit,” they said.

The University of New Hampshire, the state’s flagship public university, would see a notable share of the system-wide $17 million cut over the next two years if Ayotte’s budget is enacted as proposed.

Rapid Growth, Rising Questions

Still, the state appropriation for USNH has more than quadrupled in recent years. Since 2011, the budget has grown from $50 million per biennium to $199 million in the current 2024–2025 cycle — a compound growth rate of over 11% annually. Governor Ayotte’s new proposal calls for $182.5 million over the next two years.

Critics argue that despite this surge in public funding, spending priorities have become bloated, with a significant expansion of administrative overhead and limited progress in reducing student costs. Although no specific programs or positions have been eliminated yet, college deans have been asked to submit proposals identifying jobs that could be cut to meet future budget targets.

What Happens Next

The budget process will continue over the coming months, with both the New Hampshire House and Senate set to debate and revise the governor’s proposal before a final state budget is adopted this summer.

UNH, along with other public colleges in the system, is expected to push for the restoration of state support — but with pressure mounting over rising costs, critics are calling for greater transparency and accountability in how higher education funds are spent.