Linnaeus University in Kalmar must reduce the number of courses and students for the first time ever by 2026, according to sources. The measures are required because state funding to universities is decreasing. Barometern was the first to report on the decrease in state funding.
The university must save 47 million kronor by 2027, as its funding is not increasing in line with inflation. ' He also hopes that Linnaeus University will avoid losing teachers. A year ago, the university decided to implement a new educational strategy that means the number of programs will decrease by 15% by 2030, with the strategy affecting distance courses the most.
Kalmar Municipality has contributed significant own funds, via Kalmar Energi, to finance initiatives such as the law program at Linnaeus University. 6 million kronor more for education than in the government's proposal, but funding for research is unchanged. The additional funding is not nearly enough to avoid reducing the number of students by 1,000.
Locally, party representatives criticize the government, while their own proposals entail significantly larger cuts or marginal changes. Linnaeus University must shrink as a result of how state grants for education and research are distributed according to a decision by the Riksdag. Some universities in the country benefit, but this does not apply to Linnaeus University.
Johan Persson (S) and Eric Ciardi, both municipal councilors in Kalmar, and Karin Helmersson (C), regional councilor, are appalled by the consequences of how the funding has been distributed. Which specific courses or programs at Linnaeus University will be cut or reduced remains unclear.