Academic Affairs Budget Update June 6, 2011. Roller Coaster is Over $535M in cuts to higher...
Transcript of Academic Affairs Budget Update June 6, 2011. Roller Coaster is Over $535M in cuts to higher...
Academic Affairs
Budget Update
June 6, 2011
Roller Coaster is Over
$535M in cuts to higher education State need grant (+$124 M to keep up w tuition
increases) State work study slashed
Historic inequity in per student funding of Western students rectified in part Net +$18M correction Many to thank for this
Major classroom upgrade of departmental classrooms and Fraser Hall; PAC; Carver
Vetting of Proposed Cuts/Changes Nearing Conclusion
UPRC wrapped up its meeting last Wednesday
VPs and deans continue to process/forward input
Many external stakeholders actively engaged
Study groups underway, to be finished by December
Rebasing Process
Adjusting to lower base funding from State1. Cuts
2. Reallocation to more critical/core/quality functions
University level ($1.9M in 2011-12; $2.6M in 2012-13)
Division level ($1.5M both years of biennium) College level (minimum 2%) Department level
3. Rebasing will be ongoing process in academic division
Constraints on Cuts
Sustain quality
Maintain ‘seats in classes’
Reduce bottlenecks
Improve time to degree (new legislation)
Sustain teaching loads
Do not eliminate any filled tenure track or tenured position
Teach out all majors and graduate programs
Opportunities Given Constraints
Eliminate very small class sizes
Shift enrollment to classes with excess capacity
Shift enrollment to classes with higher caps
Increase class size and compensate with supports (e.g., TA)
Expand (modestly) number of very large classes, along with appropriate supports
Condense/compress/eliminate some minors, majors, and graduate and certificate programs
Reduce options within majors/GURs/graduate programs
Opportunities Given Constraints
Eliminate very small class sizes NOW
Shift enrollment to classes with excess capacity GRADUAL
Shift enrollment to classes with higher caps NOW
Increase class size and compensate with supports (e.g., TA) NOW
Expand (modestly) number of very large classes, along with appropriate supports NOW
Condense/compress/eliminate some minors, majors, and graduate and certificate programs GRADUAL
Reduce options within majors/GURs NOW
Desired Outcomes Changes are best of available alternatives; informed by
discipline experts
Quality sustained=‘Preserve the promise’
Access to required classes sustained and improved
Time to degree sustained and reduced in some instances
Students recognize above and that critical programs retained
Faculty workload sustained
Faculty workload more equitable while still respecting disciplinary realities
Efficiencies achieved across division
Prepared to return to tenure track hiring in areas critical to Western’s future
Retain strong faculty
Prepared to adjust compensation as opportunity arises
Timeline with Division
Immediate 30 positions eliminated from colleges; primarily vacant faculty
lines 5 positions eliminated from non-college units
By July 1, 2011 Rebasing by university Rebasing within the division
By October 15, 2011 Approval of some tenure track searches for 2012-13
By December Final rebasing plans within colleges Specifics on cost savings in colleges
Changes Taking Forward
Process
Review of all graduate programs (Fall)
Computer science will develop ambitious five year plan with external stakeholders (Fall)
Cost Savings
Program revision—CBE, CFPA, CHSS, CST, Fairhaven, Huxley, Woodring
Program elimination—CHSS; CFPA; Huxley; Woodring
Reorganization—IT; AA; Woodring
Revenue Increases
MBA differential tuition (Fall)
Changes Not Taking Forward
Eliminate Fairhaven or Huxley, but will see major transformation in both colleges and closer relationships outside of college
Combining Liberal Studies and History Depts, but will involve Liberal Studies in discussion of GUR revision and expansion
Shift of any undergraduate program to fee-based model (except those offered exclusively through summer programs)
Decentralize Graduate School, but will evaluate all graduate programs in the fall
Eliminate funding for fellowship director, but will retain funding to support students seeking fellowships
WWU in Future
Better positioned for the future
Avoid the slippery slope to mediocrity Inside Higher Ed: In For Nasty Weather
Rebasing will continue to be needed Many good ideas in strategic planning process
Change will stay with us