Dear CALS Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am writing to update you on budget planning discussions. First, thank you for your participation in this process through departmental discussions, open forums and individual input via emails, phone calls and personal conversations.

The budget reality is an estimated $7 million or more reduction in state support beginning July 1. We must work together to develop a budget reduction plan that much more tightly focuses us on core priorities of preparing students to become future leaders in agriculture and society; discovery of science-based knowledge; and enhancement of quality of life.

Today I met with our Department Chairs and shared with them the attached one-page handout. It is not a final plan or a draft plan, but a set of proposals and ideas for discussion. The document outlines five introductory statements and several proposed actions that would be done on a College-wide (central) basis and within departments. The proposed actions would directly impact our undergraduate students, graduate students and staff; and as a result, would impact faculty and their future opportunities for success in many ways.

There are four specific areas being considered:

First, we are reviewing all central College programs and centers and institutes to determine where efficiencies can be gained or where programs should be eliminated.

Second, we propose that the CALS/Experiment Station would reduce support for graduate assistantships and graduate tuition scholarships. All grant-supported assistantships would need to provide required tuition scholarships.

Third, we have begun discussions with the CALS Student Council and other groups regarding increased course fees and differential tuition. We will continue these discussions throughout the spring semester.

Finally, we have asked departments to think about how they might reorganize for increased efficiency. Unfortunately, in most cases this would ultimately lead to further reduction in staff. I cannot overemphasize how important high-quality staff are to the faculty and to the success of the College, but budget realities make it clear that we can no longer afford this high level of support.

These are extremely difficult times and exceedingly hard choices that must be made soon. Please let me know your thoughts and ideas on these proposed ideas and continue to stay involved in discussions in your departments and on the College and university levels.

Wendy Wintersteen
Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences