UNM's Athletics Department said it is trying to keep a high standard of performance while dealing with the impact of the economy.
Paul Krebs, vice president of Athletics, said most sports at UNM will absorb a 10 percent budget cut for the next fiscal year, with each team responsible for shrinking its expenses.
Krebs presented his department's budget - including all cuts - to the Board of Regents in the Budget Summit on April 9.
"Pretty much every area that is not student related is getting some sort of reduction," he said. "I am confident that this will not affect our competitiveness."
Krebs said Athletics has made changes in its spending to ensure that student athletes do not suffer a reduction in scholarships, medical care or academic support.
Currently, $3.2 million of the department's $26.9 million budget goes to student-athlete funding.
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"We want all our sports to have the ability to award the maximum amount of scholarships," Krebs said. "We budget based on that."
Doug Fields, president-elect of the Faculty Senate, said he is concerned too much student money is going to athletics. According to the Budget Summit summary, $1.5 million of student fees go to athletics, accounting for about 5 percent of the department's budget.
"I wonder if we took a vote of the students if they would prefer (athletic funding) over other things," he said. "I would think students would be more interested in things like that."
Krebs said Athletics administrators give students what they pay for with free admission to athletic events, which has increased student turnout at sporting events.
The regents' decision to increase tuition by 5.5 percent changed this year's Athletics budget, Krebs said.
The Athletics Department estimated a 7.5 percent increase in tuition, Krebs said, to account for the diversity of in-state and out-of-state student athletes.
Krebs said UNM teams are attempting to cut costs during away games by re-evaluating traveling expenses.
Regent Jack Fortner said he thinks Krebs has made beneficial changes in the Athletics Department, but he would like Krebs and his staff to follow through on their investments, like the renovation of The Pit.
"They have to sell those suite boxes," Fortner said.
Krebs said the renovation of The Pit is costing the department $60 million.
Eighteen million dollars is funded by the state, in capital outlay funds given to the University for this type of construction project. The other $42 million comes from the sale of University bonds.
The Athletics Department aims to pay off the debt by selling suites and luxury boxes in The Pit, Krebs said.
"We are not going into this blind," he said. "We have done a significant amount of research up front to suggest that our market can support this."
Fortner said Krebs is surpassing expectations in expanding the Athletics Department.
"What brings a sense of community to our campus and city is our athletics program," he said.
