The recent news regarding our budgets has not been pleasant. We've been asked to give back approximately 6% of this years' (FY 08-09) state allocation to the budget and to plan to give back a total of about 10% of next years' (FY 09-10) allocation to the budget. These are not insignificant cuts. They mean we must reduce some services and that we must leave some needed faculty positions unfilled.
To put this in perspective, I've sought comparative data from other states: Nevada (36% cut), Virginia, (15%) South Carolina, (16%) and Tennessee, (15%). Mid-year tuition increases have already taken place in New York, Maryland, and Michigan.
The college leadership team, which includes the dean, associate deans, and chairs/directors of all degree-granting units, has worked together to limit the impact of the cuts both for our current operations and for our longer-term curricular needs. We have used data to inform, but not to drive, our decisions.
I am so grateful for the hard work of all of our faculty and staff in the college. I know how many different roles each us plays, and the toll that can take on us individually. I am grateful for the positive, enriching, and supportive environment we have in Arts & Letters and I'm comforted to know we will all pull together to get through this.