Date: Sat, 02 Feb 2002 13:50:05 -0800

From: "Peter Gilkey" gilkey@darkwing.uoregon.edu

To: gwens@oregon.uoregon.edu, gmclauch@oregon.uoregon.edu, tublitz@uoneuro.uoregon.edu

Subject: Report on IFS MEeting

Dear Nathan, Greg, and Gwen:

The IFS meet at the UO this weekend (Friday 1 February and Saturday 2 February 2002). As is my custom, I am making a brief report to the three of you; it is important to have a close contact between the IFS and the UO Senate - that is, after all, why I also serve on the Senate Executive Committee. I will make a more formal and much briefer report to the Senate at the next meeting Wednesday 13 September. I will copy this to the other 2 IFS Senators (Jim Isenberg and Jim Earl) to invite them to correct me and/or add their viewpoints on various matters. On behalf of the whole IFS, I would like to thank Gwen for making the physical arrangements for the Lewis Room, food, etc. Jim did all the agenda arrangement and it was splendid in all respects. (Especially the dinner I am told).

Provost Moseley began the meeting on Friday with a discussion of the budget process at the UO. We have reduced our "running rate" for this academic year by $3,000,000 to deal with a potential $8,000,000 budget shortfall over the biennium. He discussed our "open process" where the Senate Budget Committee meets regularly with the faculty. A high priority is to remedy deterioration in faculty salaries with a goal of getting to the 90% peer group benchmark. There are continuing difficulties with the cell values. There is also a worry about taking a major classroom building (Gilbert Hall) off line and the projected enrollment increase. We will try to expand the day - to offer more classes at off hours. Better utilization of space where the overhead has already been paid. If the budget cut is not too large, will not look at closing programs as this is very counterproductive - lose students - downward death spiral. Central administration does not control "faculty lines" - Deans are in charge of their own budgets. Looking at narrowing the "tuition plateau".

Geri Richmond spoke next saying the tuition issue is on the table indicating Chancellor Cox had sent an email "a modest tuition increase may be necessary". There has been discussion of the governing structures at the state board - the OIT proposal to be come independent - OSU has progressed furthest with a local advisory board. With regard to the search for the chancellor. The search process will be open to all board members - quorum arguments indicate why the executive committee are the "official" members. Prof. Richmond emphasized she did not "represent" faculty - she was a regular board member who happened to be a faculty member.

UO Senate President Tublitz spoke next. It is my hope to get an electronic copy of his speech and post it on the web.

President Frohnmayer spoke welcoming the IFS back to the UO. He mentioned the difficulty of "nailing Jell-O to the wall" in regard to getting hard figures out on the budget process at this point in time. He is afraid that a legislature may go for short term solutions. He was concerned about the mix in the final cuts to higher education and stressed the necessity to restore as much money to the instructional part as possible. He wants to protect access without compromising quality as that would destroy everything we are about. He hopes for maximum tuition flexibility from the state board for all the institutions. He outlined at the UO several points (1) The strategic directions - short document with a few big issues one of which is the capacity of the university in the view of our record enrollment. (2) What does it mean to be a public institution? We have gone from 12% of the state budget to 7% which is a sea change. Public/Private mix issue. Erosion in view of public good to private good. Felt public has the responsibility to keep the doors open. (3) Direction in terms of subject matter - selective investment. Campus debate - we decide together - but not an endless process. (4) Who the next governor is does matter. We should put it on our agenda. (5) Flavor of other things - athletics and diversity continue to be important in campus discussions.

Roger Basset (member of the state board) discussed the real tradeoffs that the governor must make. And perhaps we should take some short term cuts in the long term interests. We should pause and try to stand in his shoes.

State Senator Tony Corcoran felt the deficit might increase and noted that in the 80's there were several special sessions with more and more budget cuts. Told several extremely funny jokes to lighten the mood ("my mother still thinks I have an honorable job as a piano player in a whore house". Senate President Tublitz had discussed he does research concerning insect brains. Senator Corcoran indicated "we have some work for someone who studies brain science for insects up in Salem"). Senator Corcoran felt we should stress quality and access - show the damage that cuts cause. Agreed with Governor on issue of either pay for it or cut it - but don't go for short term solutions or budget gimics.

The day closed with IFS Senator Kirsten Lampi from OHSU who got into a very frank discussion with Senator Corcoran concerning funding; Senator Corcoran worried about accountability. It is clear there are real dangers with trying to implement the OHSU model.

The "business meeting" on Saturday dealt with a number of issues. IFS Senator Sorte (OSU) discussed at some length the situation at OSU. They have no more budget difficulties than other OUS institutions - we should all examine our budgets very carefully. What happened at OSU was they used up reserves to do initiatives to become more competitive. The effort to make faculty salaries more competitive caused much of the problems. To fix the difficulties they have taken a 6.5% administrative cut and a 3.4% cut to 40% of the budget. He felt many of us have similar problems and would say the UO in particular is in the same situation. Felt Dave Frohnmayer and Paul Risser make a good team. Unfair to have 17% cuts to statewide services - not equitable. Risser has done a good job of going directly to the state legislature for funds.

Elaine Deutschman discussed the situation at OIT. Last spring, Dick Wendt went to their advisory council and offered 75,000,000 in stock if he had a seat on the board of trustees and if OIT withdrew from OUS. OIT is studying the proposal because it (a) offers (perhaps) fiscal stability and (b) freedom from the constraints imposed by the state board. At the convocation on campus 15 January their president talked to the entire campus about the opportunity. She has run revenue models and plans to increase tuition. Current students would be protected. The faculty have expressed concern that PUBLIC education is a core mission. There are also nuts and bolts issues - it is not a done deal.

Room, Erb Memorial Union; Phyllis Wustenberg, Geri Richmond, Tim Young.

There was a spirited discussion of the role that temporary faculty play in increasing numbers in dealing both with fiscal constraints and increasing enrollment. The relevant committees at PSU and the UO were discussed. The meeting then closed - I indicated I might be emailing the members of the IFS some suggestions from UO Senate President Tublitz. Peter B Gilkey