Responding to the times: A dean’s letter

Even though tuition did increase for students this year, SOU’s overall budget is still substantially less than last year, so the University faced a challenge in finding additional ways to cut expenses while minimizing the repercussions to students. Although these have been very difficult times, it is important to realize that no faculty positions have been cut and no programs or majors have been eliminated during these recent economic difficulties. Further, we are not cutting classes unless they’re under-enrolled and we are adding sections where there is student demand. This is a significant aspect of SOU’s response, because it means students will not have their progress toward completing their degree interrupted or lengthened, and they will be able to get into the classes they need to graduate.

The APSOU bargaining team (a group of faculty members representing the faculty union and a team of administrators representing management) met for long hours over the summer and through a very collegial process agreed upon a plan to address the recent budget cuts through reductions in faculty pay. The institutional mandate was to protect the academic programs and student experience, and we came up with a response, that while painful, does meet that goal. Remember that the reduction in faculty pay was one of the last pieces of the University’s response to budget cuts, and many administrators and clerical staff have lost their jobs entirely, and all took a 4.6% cut in salary early on in the summer.

Faculty did vote to accept the furloughs and pay reduction, and they will be working creatively to deliver the essential material to the students in the shortened time frame. There will be a total of 11 furlough days spread throughout the academic year, with 2 to 3 less class days this fall term. Due to careful planning, this will result in a maximum reduction of 4 hours of class time, and in some cases no reduction in class time at all depending on how a class is scheduled. Faculty members are free to set their syllabi and pattern the quarter as they see best, but students will need to make an extra effort to attend class regularly and bare some of the burden. In the end I have complete faith that our faculty will do everything they can, including taking on additional work and pressure as well as a reduction in pay, in order to provide a vibrant learning experience and the fundamental skills and knowledge – and I believe SOU students will respond and flourish.