Staying optimistic

August 31, 2007

The start of the school year is always as exciting as it is hectic. I hope all students, faculty and staff were able to take some time off during the summer, and that you are refreshed, reenergized and ready to make the most of the months ahead.

As many of you are aware, we face some unique financial challenges. Budget cuts affecting every state institution have forced us to seek reductions of at least $30 million to UF’s budget. We have already implemented a universitywide hiring freeze. A task force I appointed early this month is looking at many other options, including streamlining current processes, cutting UF functions and increasing revenue streams.

Whatever belt-tightening lies ahead, our priority is to maintain high standards in our core missions of teaching, research and service.

With that in mind, I think we do have some reasons for optimism.

Last year’s twin national championships meant a banner year for the University Athletic Association, and the UAA has donated $6 million to the university to help cover our budget shortfall. We will use the money in part to continue the Florida Opportunity Scholars program, an important scholarship that targets students who are the first in their families to attend college. We anticipate 400 new students in the program this year.

Also, Florida lawmakers approved the state’s first-ever tuition differential bill last spring. Starting in 2008-09, UF can raise its tuition as much as 40 percent, at a maximum rate of 15 percent per year above whatever the statewide increase is. With lean economic times likely extending beyond this year, the tuition differential will guarantee we can continue to hire new faculty and student advisers, which in turn will give students the top-tier educational experience they truly deserve.

There’s other important good news.

Our faculty research awards for the most recent fiscal year are up to $583 million, an impressive 12.5 percent more than last year. In fundraising, our 3-year-old Faculty Challenge Initiative has netted $207 million, far eclipsing the original goal of $150 million. And UF this past year was Florida’s only university to receive two statewide Center of Excellence grants, as well as $20 million for a pilot plant for the production of cellulosic ethanol.

There’s no question we would prefer a sunnier budget situation, but I have full faith we will continue to improve and grow despite the challenges. Let’s make the coming academic year a productive and memorable one.

Sincerely,

J. Bernard Machen