University of Wisconsin officials met Wednesday to summarize the five-year review of a UW dean, focusing on the challenges facing the university’s largest college.
Provost Paul DeLuca said College of Letters and Science Dean Gary Sandefur received an invitation to remain as dean for another five years, due to his openness, talent for external relations and support for programs within L&S, among others.
Despite receiving a positive review, the challenges Sandefur faces over the next five years are not to be overlooked, DeLuca said.
Examining the future of L&S was a key theme in the report, specifically because it is the biggest, most complex college within UW, DeLuca said.
The budget deficit will particularly constrain Sandefur, and DeLuca said fixing the deficit is not something Sandefur can accomplish alone.
In addition, Martin said L&S benefited from the most recent state budget, largely because up to 5 percent of base funding in other schools went to L&S.
The funds L&S received from other colleges helped reduce the deficit Martin saw in L&S upon her arrival at UW, she said.
Despite receiving help from around UW, the deficit needs to be addressed if for no other reason than to stop its growth, DeLuca said.
Martin said the administration would help L&S however possible, but cuts are likely for the next budget.
These cuts will not be across-the-board though, Martin added, because she believes keeping the priorities of the college in mind will help determine where cuts will land. Prioritizing will also not be limited to L&S, but UW-wide.
“The university as a whole has to think what we’re going to do well and what we’re not going to be able to afford to do well,” Martin said.
While he was unable to attend the meeting, Sandefur told The Badger Herald he plans to address the budget deficit by looking broadly at four areas, with only academic instruction and advising immune from cuts due to obligations through the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates.
Low demand programs, low enrollment programs, administrative support and research budgets are the areas Sandefur said L&S would examine.
In particular, Sanderfur would like to look for more effective ways of handling administrative support within L&S.
Sandefur also said he wants to look at the base budget of discretionary and research funds to find ways to relieve the pressure on the base budget L&S receives for research from the state and tuition.
Martin acknowledged the difficult choices facing L&S, and faculty involvement in potential cuts is inevitable.
Martin notified the University Committee of the future inquiries and said its members brought up the conflict of interest present when faculty members evaluate their peers.
Dealing with those tough conversations is one reason why Martin wants to hire a consulting firm, she said.
“I think we need help taking a holistic view,” she said. “I think there’s no way to do it except to have a group of staff work with administrators to decide what the strengths [of UW] are.”
Overall, Sandefur said he is excited to continue as dean of L&S and is optimistic about the future.
