Update from the Dean's Office
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
I hope you find this first edition of E-Insight Update timely and informative.
You'll be receiving E-Insight monthly and the information shared with
you here will help to keep you abreast of what is happening at the University,
at the College, and within your Department. The articles will be short,
so it won't take too long to catch up on the news and keep you connected
to the College even when you are away. A lot has been happening lately,
so let's get started.
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The budget, of course, is at the top of everyone's mind. You'll
find a separate article in this edition regarding Dr. Yates' budget
analysis where we will highlight the important points he presented.
For our College, here are a few things you need to know. Our College
has been required to reduce our budget by $2,412,901 in order to help
meet budget reduction targets for CSU. The dean's office contributed
$1,393,204 (57.7% of the total) to minimize impact on academic departments.
Right now, we are turning in a plan to cut the final $170,000 of that
total amount by July 2003. It is our hope that these difficult cuts
will see us through to July 2004. If, however, the state economy remains
in dire straits, we might have to plan for additional cuts to begin
in July 2004.
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In addition to the College's faculty and staff bearing the weight
of these difficult economic times, our students also are affected.
Tuition increases of approximately 10 percent are likely to be approved
by the Board of Governors. This tuition increase, larger class sizes,
and the elimination of certain classes and programs are some of the
hardships facing our students.
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Currently, one program within the College - the Equine Sports Medicine
Trailer -- has been shut down. The Equine Medicine and Surgery Group
conducted a careful analysis of the trailer and felt educational opportunities
for students could be met by concentrating on field work, especially
with construction of the new Larimer County Fairgrounds. Dr. Joe Stricklin
has been the driving force behind the trailer, and his skills as a
teacher and clinician will continue to be vital, though used closer
to home.
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The most difficult part of our budget reductions have been the lay-offs
of CVMBS personnel. It is a very painful time for these individuals
and their families and we will do all we can to support and assist
them as they go through this difficult transition. Also difficult
is the fact that there will be no salary increases for our faculty
and staff, though they clearly deserve it. We can only hope that better
economic times lie ahead and that we have seen the worst of this downturn.
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Despite these hardships, there is good news to report. In the U.S.
News and World Report annual rankings of America's best university
graduate schools, the College was rated second in the nation in veterinary
schools, competing head to head with schools that have greater funding
levels and substantial endowment bases. This speaks to the quality
of our faculty, staff and students and the pursuit of excellence which
resonates through all that we do. We are the only veterinary medical
program in the Western states to be ranked among the top 10. Cornell
University topped the 2003 list in veterinary medicine.
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In May, we welcomed the Colorado State University System Board of
Governors to the University for its regular meeting and the College
was very proud to host the board for a tour of the Robert H. and Mary
G. Flint Animal Cancer Center and the Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic
Research Laboratory at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
They were very impressed with the new facilities and with the innovative
research programs housed within them. I also was able to give them
a brief introduction of the College's 25-year plan. At the board's
Aug. 27 meeting in Pueblo, we will present them with the full proposal,
which will require the board's approval before we can begin to act
in earnest as we look to shape our future.
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On a final note, I'd like to recognize Dr. Wendell Nelson who retired
from the University in April. Dr. Nelson received his DVM degree from
Cornell University and moved to Fort Collins in 1960. He completed
a master's degree in surgery, followed by a PhD in comparative pathology
before accepting an Assistant Professor appointment with CSU in 1965.
What followed was 38 years of distinguished service to the College
of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences as a surgeon, biomedical
educator, scientist, and administrator. Dr. Nelson served as Director
of the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1990 until
his retirement this year. We thank Dr. Nelson for his service and
leadership and wish him all the best as he embarks on his next journey.
I hope you find the information here and the articles in this month's
E-Insight valuable in creating a greater understanding of what is happening
at the College and the greater University. Please realize that your contributions
to the College are greatly appreciated, especially as we strive to maintain
our course through a particularly challenging time.
All the Best,
Lance Perryman
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
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