The University of Central Florida is still proposing major academic cuts, but trustees on Monday will consider an amended plan that preserves the Statistics program -- a move that would save 12 faculty and two staff jobs and allow 75 students to continue with their studies.

To stay alive, though, the Statistics program will have to meet new "productivity goals," according to UCF officials. That includes increasing overall degree production. The amended plan also proposes to suspend but not eliminate the Actuarial Sciences program, also in the College of Sciences.

“This modification supports our goal to preserve UCF’s core educational and research programs to allow the university to emerge from the economic downturn in the best position possible,” said UCF Provost and Executive Vice President Terry Hickey.

UCF is making the academic cuts in response to dramatic cuts in state funding since 2007 -- $77.2 million total. That includes a $38.3 million cut for the 2009-10 budget, which took effect July 1.

The other four programs proposed for elimination are:

• Cardiopulmonary Sciences and Radiologic Sciences (College of Health and Public Affairs)

• Radiologic Sciences (College of Health and Public Affairs)

• Engineering Technology (College of Engineering and Computer Science)

• Management Information Systems (College of Business Administration).

The amended proposal would cut 37 employee positions and affect about 1,025 students. If approved, the cuts would save UCF about $4.6 million. In addition, all of the university’s administrative units are having their budgets reduced. The cut programs would be phased out over two years, and affected employees would remain with UCF until at least the end of spring 2010.