I have now--as have several other academic leaders on campus--presented my prioritized list to the Academic Planning Group. While proposing $2 million in cuts to our (approximately) $20 million remaining budgets has been painful, I realize there have been some positive aspects to this process.
First, it has given me yet another reason to become increasingly familiar with the programs and faculty in our college. I am confident that, if required to, I can clearly and completely demonstrate the value of our programs and why they are necessary to the health of the institution. Second, it has reaffirmed for me that our faculty and staff are genuinely caring and compassionate people who would literally offer to make personal sacrifices to save someone else. The generosity and deep convictions about fairness expressed by participants in our two information-sharing meetings this week are inspiring. Third, it has made me realize how right the leaders of our institution have been to stress the need for us to tell our story to the world. It is clear that some state leaders do not understand or fully support what we do. While we know well the unique value of a university degree in the arts or liberal arts, as an institution we have not always done a good job of explaining why it benefits the State of Mississippi itself to make these quality programs accessible and available to our citizens.
I am a realist. I understand that declining revenues will necessitate reductions in state support. But the fact remains that we were underfunded relative both to our sister institutions and to the extent and impact of our programs before the current cuts ever took place. We have to find ways to gain support from all available sources, and sharing our story is the first step to beginning that process.