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