It’s about that time when Government of Guam agencies are making budget requests for Fiscal Year 2025.

The University of Guam putting in its ask before the legislature, which holds the power of the purse.

At the Guam Congress Building, UOG officials asked for a $4.9 million appropriation for FY 2025 that will go to the university’s general operations – a bump up of $13.8 million more than what it got in FY 2023.

The increase is needed, according to UOG president Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, who says remaining at the level of previous fiscal year appropriations would cause the university to enter into “financial exigency.”

“It is highly important that the university be approved a greater amount than $31 million so as not to avoid any budget deficits," said Dr. Borja Enriquez. "We would not be able to diversify revenue, raise capital, funding, or make changes to our academic programs unless we continue the hiring of all of our much-needed employees, and keep the lights on and water running in our buildings.”

Borja Enriquez adding that UOG has been resourceful in getting funds and contracts that help to create more jobs, community outreach, and research–though those monies cannot go back to supporting operational costs.

“I want to ensure you that every dollar spent is used responsibly and effectively to further our mission and to benefit the people of Guam. Your university is truly an investment to produce our island’s workforce," she said.

In the meantime, committee chair on general government operations and appropriations Senator Joe San Agustin finding that UOG's ask is short millions of dollars.

“I think your focus is really $55 million or $56 million, and just knowing that I’m going to look at my colleagues and say: Who are we going to cut?" said San Agustin.

San Agustin, an alumni of UOG, urging the university to explore other funding opportunities that can go to fixing things in need of repair and help whatever the legislature cannot appropriate to meet budget requests halfway.

The nearly two-hour budget hearing concluded with senators agreeing they want to help UOG.