Message from the President
November 28, 2008
Dear
Colleagues,
You are aware, of course, of the serious financial challenges facing our nation
and our state. There is no question that this will be reflected in the
Governor’s proposed budget for the 2009-11 biennium and in the Legislature’s
deliberations come January.
To help keep everyone informed, we are creating a website to provide
information and regular updates on how the budget situation is playing out in
both Salem and on our campus. It will include links to other budget-related
sites, statements, and blogs from the Governor, state economists, UO faculty
experts, administrators, and others. It will also include
frequently-asked questions and responses that are interactive and will grow as
more questions are received. You will receive notice from Senior Vice
President and Provost Jim Bean when the website is live, which should be
sometime next week.
We hope the Governor makes higher education a priority when he releases his
budget on Dec. 1. The Governor, as well as legislative leadership have
indicated support this session for capital construction as a means of boosting
Oregon’s economy. We should also recognize that historically universities
spur economic recovery through innovation. We are therefore hopeful there
will be broad support for the university’s capital, instructional, and research
priorities. Obviously we will know more on Monday when the Governor
releases his budget, and we will share this information as soon as possible.
As Senior Vice President and Provost Bean noted in his Nov. 19 campus-wide
email, the University of Oregon had been preparing for a budget shortfall even
before the recent stock and bond market turmoil, and we have planned
accordingly. Challenges remain, but I know we will all do our best to
protect the educational experience our students deserve.
Again, we will let you know when the budget information website is live.
If you have any questions in the meantime, you may contact me at pres@uoregon.edu or Jim Bean at provost@uoregon.edu.
Thank you for your outstanding work. I wish you and your families a
wonderful Thanksgiving.
Warm regards,
Dave Frohnmayer
President