Dean Gregory J. Weidemann
Address to the Bumpers College Faculty
Spring Semester
May 2008
It is my pleasure to give this final college update as dean of the college.
Although we have not yet received our college budget allocation from campus, I thought I would spend a few moments to address the overall budget picture for the campus and college and share an abbreviated version of my budget presentation to the campus administration.
As reported by the press, the state has revised its budget forecast and has reduced budget allocations for next year. This will result in a reduction in available funds for the campus for next year. Although tuition revenue from enrollment growth will make up some of the difference, next year will be a tight budget year. After addressing some essential budget expenditures such as utility increases, there will be limited funds available for raises or priority needs in the colleges. With the need to address the remaining budget reconciliation issues with the Division, next year will be a tight budget year for the college. However, in anticipation of a tight budget, I worked with our department heads to reduce teaching FTE’s slightly so that we had some budget flexibility going into the next budget year. Our priority will be to ensure that we provide a raise program equivalent to that provided by the Division and to complete the budget reconciliation. Any remaining funds will be used to address our highest priority needs.
As you move forward as a college, you need to continue to keep the focus on recruitment and retention, addressing the priorities established in the college portion of the management plan, addressing the changes recommended by the Honors Program Review Committee, and completing the comprehensive review of the college curriculum.
It was clear from our recent recruitment and retention retreat that we still can do a better job linking our academic programs to career opportunities. Likewise, we need to continue to improve our ability to identify students at risk, improve student engagement and enhance our developmental advising model. We initiated a student mentoring program this past year on an experimental basis and will make substantial changes for next year.
With the completion of the Honors Program Review, the Honors Program Committee will be challenged to address the recommendations of the review team. As a faculty, I would urge you to give this priority attention.
This spring I charged a committee to study our overall college curriculum and to make recommendations for consideration by the college faculty. The committee has met throughout the spring semester and is continuing to work diligently.
Since our last meeting, we have one of our department heads who has decided on a change of pace and will be leaving our college family this summer. Dr. Sung Lim will be retiring July 31st. I would like to personally thank Dr. Lim for his dedicated service to this college and the university as Head of the Department of Plant Pathology. His leadership will be greatly missed.
Finally, you all know that I have accepted the position of dean and director of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut beginning July 4. While this was a difficult decision for me, it was an opportunity to have administrative responsibility for all three land grant functions within a unified organizational structure. I wish to thank each and every one of you for the opportunity to work with you as a member of this faculty and to serve you as dean. This university and this college will always have a special place in my heart.
Our commencement ceremony will be held this Saturday, May 10 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center at 1 PM. I hope you all plan to attend to wish our graduates well.