From hinckley@u.washington.edu Wed Feb 10 15:31:33 2010
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:27:05 -0800
From: Tom Hinckley <hinckley@u.washington.edu>
To: "faccfr@u.washington.edu" <faccfr@u.washington.edu>, "staffcfr@u.washington.edu" <staffcfr@u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Faccfr] Budget Cuts 2010

Dear All:

This is the case where both shoes fall.

Faculty and Staff Colleagues:

I want to bring you up to date on the current budget situation. Unfortunately the cuts we took on 7/1/09 were not the 
end of the story. It is certain we will have another reduction for FY2011, but the amount is yet to be determined. We 
have, however, been asked to begin modeling budget cuts at the 3.5%, 5%, and 10% levels. Because of protected faculty 
positions, the effective rates are 8.45%, 12.07%, and 24.14%, respectively, on those remaining areas of the state 
budget that can be cut.

Here are some facts passed on to us by the Dean’s Office:

1.  Legislative aides have recalculated how much can be cut in higher education funding without losing federal stimulus 
    dollars and that number has now risen to 3.5 to 5%
2.  Some legislators are again advocating for protecting community colleges by giving larger cuts to four year institutions, 
    and it is possible that cuts at the four‐year institution level will not be applied evenly across the board
3.  Actual unit cuts will be greater than that assigned to the UW by the legislature because cost increases, such as the 
    14% electricity rate increase on 1/1/10 and benefit changes for FY2011, will also need to be covered
4.  The budget cut applied to the UW is expected to be applied equally across the board within the institution.

In addition we are asked to:

1.  Ensure that decisions that impact other programs and units are made in consultation with the impacted unit.
2.  Explore administrative efficiencies to allow larger cuts in these activities to preserve research and instruction.
3.  Continue to invest very strategically to take advantage of opportunities that will position the UW as a world 
    leader when the economy rebounds.

In our deliberations we will be guided by principles that served us well last year:

    * Priorities should reflect our core mission as impacted by the state budgets that are used to maintain 
	  the School's 1) instructional, 2) research, and 3) service programs, in that order.
    * Think strategically, with a 5-10 year outlook and our School mission, vision and goals in mind.
    * Maintain flexibility and take advantage of the least disruptive opportunities.
    * Currently filled tenured and tenure-track faculty positions will not be subject to budget reduction.
    * Ensure process transparency.
    * All permanent state budgets will bear some impact recognizing the possibility of targeted reductions 
	  more consistent with our mission. Differential reductions may be considered, using guiding principles to 
	  determine match with mission and function of SFR.
    * Act with the expectation that there could be another cut required as the economic downturn may persist.
    * Consider the advisability of eliminating functions now, given the dire outlook and need for substantial reductions. 

I hope this provides some context for you. I have begun collecting input from center directors, I have scheduled a meeting 
with the elected faculty advisory council, and I will also seek advice from faculty and staff groups before final decisions 
are made. I would be pleased to hear suggestions from any of you as individuals as well. My door is always open.

Thank you.

Tom
Thomas Hinckley
Interim Director School of Forest Resources
David RM Scott Professor of Forestry

    [ Part 2: "Attached Text" ]

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