I would love to see the University embrace a new operational model that is closer to the private sector. What if the University could return unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year to the State instead of going on a "spend it or lose it" spree? Further, what if unit heads were given a portion of the savings (say 5%) to distribute as performance bonuses to their direct reports? The next year the budget is reduced by some fixed percentage of the previous year's surplus (say 50%) and the process repeats. I think this might change the culture within UA. Rather than circling the waggons and trying to pretend like every service/employee is essential, employees would be encouraged to find and elliminate inefficiencies. Employees would think differently about expanding programs and departments as it would ultimately affect their own bottom line. Anyone aware of similiar models that have been implemented elsewhere in the public sector? If so, were they effective?