College of Engineering Budget Update
College of Engineering Faculty and Staff:
The College and the University are engaged in one of the most challenging problem-solving exercises in modern history -- seeking ways to affordably run our institution while maintaining the core mission with which we've been charged.
As we've all learned over time, one of the critical processes to meeting this type of challenge is through clear, timely, and accurate communication. That is why this web site exists. It is our sincere intent to keep you informed in the best possible way and to encourage two-way communication. Equal to the flow of budget update information to you is the importance of hearing from each of you -- sharing with us your ideas, comments, and questions.
Since the first of the year, I have tried to be diligent about interacting with all core groups of the College, and have had meetings to address the budget with departments, staff council and staff members, the Engineering Faculty Council, and the Engineering Administrative Council. It also is my plan to have in-depth discussions with the College's Advisory Board, Development Council, Young Alumni Advisory Board, and student leaders.
For FY-10 alone, the College has been directed to reduce its General Education Fund (GEF) budget by about $1.26 Million, about 7% of our total $17.7 million GEF allocation. GEF consists of financial resources obtained from tuition and fees, state appropriations, and indirect costs from grants, contracts, and other outside revenue sources. I expect to have additional reductions for FY-11.
There are several cost-saving and revenue-generating options I have discussed at collegiate meetings and will continue to approach and ask for input. These options include:
- Actions to meet our target
- Reductions to recurring and non-recurring collegiate program expenses
- Reductions to recurring and non-recurring departmental expenses
- Temporary reductions in salaries
- Plan Development
- Developing a plan that results in a positive long-term future for the College
- Developing a sense of fairness with differential loads
- Impact on the College's mission and vision
- Hiring and retaining the "best and brightest" among faculty and staff
- Recruiting the "best and brightest students
- Encouraging a greater emphasis on grants and contracts
- Growth in Non-appropriations
- Engineering research
- Revenue-producing academic and service programs
Altogether, we have the opportunity to make the College an even better place to teach, learn, conduct research, and serve the state of Iowa. And this gives us the chance to think both short term and long term -- keep asking ourselves "how do we want the College of Engineering to look in 5 years, 10 years, and more?".
As we move forward, we have in place the appropriate methods to keep productive communication active. Always feel free to communicate with your departmental executive officer, unit director, or me through email, telephone, in person, or use the convenient web page we have established to share your cost-saving ideas, comments, and questions. You also will find that the budget challenges have been clearly articulated by President Mason and Provost Loh.
I truly believe the collection of common-sense thinking, careful implementation, sense of urgency, and an infectuous energy level will help us through these challenges and, in fact, maintain the College's reputation as a model among the University and the Regents system.
Sincerely,
P. Barry Butler
Professor and Dean