Over the last few months, the vice chancellors and I have worked with deans and directors across campus to identify $5.2 million in recurring funding reductions. As you may recall from my October budget update to campus, we are working to start our new fiscal year on July 1, 2020 with a balanced budget. In order to do this, we need to reduce O&M (operations and maintenance) expenditures by $5.2 million to cover the $4 million annual imbalance and a required $1.2 million systemwide reduction.
This is difficult. While there are solid financial reasons for doing this work, it does not reduce the pain that our employees will feel and the concern from our students and community. These are tough decisions and reflect the challenges that universities across the nation face.
We are committed to:
- Minimizing the impact to students.
- Preserving academic programs and student support as much as possible.
- Providing support and resources for those individuals directly affected.
- Around 29 faculty and staff are directly affected through either full lay-off or reduction in contracts; plus 13 graduate teaching assistant positions. This equates to 24.7 full-time equivalents.
- Leadership was able to lessen the impact by utilizing alternative funding, open positions, and retirements, a total of about 30 full-time equivalents.
- Zero academic programs are completely eliminated. Jazz studies will change from a standalone major to a concentration. Early childhood studies (unified early childhood studies dual licensure and early childhood studies non-licensure) will be temporarily suspended and positioned for a successful relaunch.
- Masters in English will suspend new admissions to the program for the next two years.
- The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning will be eliminated; however, leadership will continue to offer faculty development in partnership with the Twin Cities’ Center for Educational Innovation and other administrative units at UMD.
- The College of Liberal Arts and the School of Fine Arts will merge allowing us to realize operational and administrative efficiencies while also preserving and optimizing program offerings.
- Facilities Management decreased their repair and renovation budget by $225,000.
I
want to address recent conversation around the value of the fine and
liberal arts at UMD. Let me assure you that both the fine arts and
liberal arts are critical components to UMD and will continue to be
central to our mission, as well as our artistic and academic
experiences. As someone with a theater background, I know first-hand the
positive impact that the arts can have on a person, a campus, and a
community. There are indeed many career opportunities for arts and
liberal arts graduates, and these disciplines provide invaluable skills
and enrichment regardless of one one’s career path. Merging CLA and SFA
not only helps to preserve programs and faculty lines, but it may bring
further collaboration and opportunities for students, faculty, and
staff.
Ultimately, these budget decisions will strengthen UMD’s financial position and are necessary steps to best position UMD for an outstanding future. I ask for your support as we navigate these difficult times. Please be assured that while we are moving ahead with these reductions, I continue to advocate for additional resources for UMD both within system leadership and at the state Capitol. I appreciate your advocacy and passion for UMD.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
Ultimately, these budget decisions will strengthen UMD’s financial position and are necessary steps to best position UMD for an outstanding future. I ask for your support as we navigate these difficult times. Please be assured that while we are moving ahead with these reductions, I continue to advocate for additional resources for UMD both within system leadership and at the state Capitol. I appreciate your advocacy and passion for UMD.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
