Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

A newsletter for faculty, staff and students

May-June 2005 • Vol. 31, No. 3

COLLEGE FACULTY MEETING, MAY 6, 2005

Address by Greg Weidemann, Dean and Associate Vice President for Research

Once again, it is my pleasure to report on the state of the College and Experiment Station.  With the conclusion of the legislative session, development of a draft management plan and impending conclusion of the Campaign for the 21st Century, I thought I would spend a bit more time than usual updating you on progress in these areas.

State Funding. The legislative session ended with one of the largest increases for public higher education in some time.  More importantly, the legislature endorsed allocating future increases by a funding formula endorsed by all four year and two year institutions plus the non-formulas such as the Division of Agriculture.  This formula recognizes the role our campus plays in graduate and professional education and the role the Division plays in serving such a large and important constituency.  Campus will realize an increase of 4.6% in year one and 6% in year two. The Division will have an increase of 5.8% both years.  This is a remarkable increase in comparison to previous sessions in recent years.  This will allow us to give well-deserved salary increases to our employees and additional funds to meet a few of our most critical needs.  There remains some concern about the school funding lawsuit being reopened but overall this was one of the better sessions for higher education.  State funds for facility construction and facility maintenance remain problematic.  The proposed extension of the state college savings bond program will help address this need if passed.

Federal Formula Funds. To offset the good news, the President has proposed eliminating federal formula funds to land grant universities over the next two years.  These funds would go in part to competitive grant programs such as NRI and to other areas. Formula funds constitute about 10% of our appropriated budget in the experiment station so this would result in a major setback to our budget. As expected, the land grant community has vigorously opposed this change with our elected representatives. Although the debate is far from over, we are confident that Congress will not approve this change. However, the threat to our budget will complicate budget planning until it is resolved.

For the College, each year we are asked to designate a 2% reduction in our budget as part of the campus budgeting process.  We then have the opportunity to make the case to retain these funds and request increases based on campus priorities.  Therefore, it has been imperative to continue to grow since this is one of the highest campus priorities.  Each year, we have retained our 2% and increased above that based on our continued growth, but we must continue to address campus priorities.

Management Plan. As you know, we have been developing a new management plan in concert with our colleagues in CES. This planning process has been the most inclusive in the history of the college and Division with significant stakeholder input in addition to giving all faculty, staff and students the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas.  After summarizing the material, all unit heads and a cross section of faculty met in a retreat setting in November to develop a draft plan. This plan was then circulated to all participants to give them the opportunity for additional comment.  With that process complete, we will now charge a small committee with the responsibility to work with us to finalize the plan this summer.  I have a target for completion of July 1. While it was impossible to have everyone participate in the retreat, I would like to thank those of you who participated in the survey, focus group session or the retreat for sharing your thoughts and ideas.

Development Campaign. After seven years, the Campaign for the 21st Century will conclude on June 30.  As you know, we have met our $900 million goal and the Walton $300 million challenge.  As you know, a few weeks ago, the goal was reset at $1 billion with only a few months to go.  This is a remarkable goal for an institution of this size that puts us in very elite company indeed.  To start with a very ambitious $500 million goal and now push to reach $1 billion is mind-boggling.  The collective goal for the Division and college was nearly $70 million.  I am pleased to report that we have exceeded that goal and have $74 million in gifts and pledges. I would like to publicly recognize Mark Power and Chuck Culver for their unceasing efforts on your behalf and the members of our campaign committee co-chaired by Leland Tollett and Stanley Reed.

Student Representation. A few months ago, the faculty approved a change in your grading system, which was subsequently approved by Faculty Senate and the provost.  Recently we received a petition from a number of our students protesting the change and expressing the concern that they were not consulted on a change that will influence their lives.  I agree, that we as a faculty were negligent in not addressing this proposed change with our students. Hindsight is 20-20, but I believe we must respond to their concerns and take appropriate action to ensure that students in future are consulted on policy changes that effect them. Today, I publicly challenge our faculty council to work with my office and the department heads to create a representative student body, which will include student representation on the Faculty Council.  This should be a priority for the fall semester.

Centennial. Finally, you should all know by now that 2005 is the centennial of our college.  The college was formed in 1905 with 10 students and two full time faculty.  We took advantage of our scholarship luncheon and honors convocation to kickoff our year of celebration.  A committee composed of faculty, staff, students, alums and administrators has been working hard to plan a number of events.  Ag. Communications has designed a logo to utilize throughout the year, prepared an abbreviated history of our college and has prepared a display that highlights our history.  If you did not have an opportunity to view the display panels, they are currently on display in the AFLS atrium.  They are also preparing a smaller display for each department and we have asked each department to prepare a display that highlights their individual history.  In addition to our kickoff event, we will have a speakers' series this fall, prepare a time capsule and conclude our year of celebration with a gala event December 3.  All faculty, staff, alums and students will be invited.

Recognition. I would also like to take advantage of this gathering today to recognize a group that works tirelessly on your behalf but is rarely recognized for their efforts.  Our Agricultural Communications group composed of Howell Medders, Fred Miller, Judy Howard, Dave Edmark, Cam Romund, and Karen Eskew have the responsibility for preparing all the written, visual and electronic media that highlight your achievements and promote our college, the experiment station and the Division.  They work hard behind the scenes to tell your story and are often an invisible part of our success.  If you look at the appearance of our promotional materials such as the Graduate, Arkansas Land and Life, our annual report and other materials they do an excellent job promoting your programs, the college and the Division.  What you may not know is that they, as a group, are beginning to develop a reputation that challenges John McDonnell and the track team. Since 2003, the communications group has received 21 first place or gold awards, 10 second place or silver awards and 9 third place or bronze awards from various state and national associations. This is a remarkable record of achievement and one that bears our recognition as a faculty.