December 12, 2008
Topics in today's issue of Extension Update:
DEAR COLLEAGUES—STATE BUDGET UPDATE
I know the information you’ve received both internally and through the commercial media about the economic downturn and its impact on Washington State University may have many of you wondering or worrying about the future. I am writing today to share the latest information I have about the budget situation specifically for WSU Extension; as I receive new or different information, I will be sure to include it in Extension Update, which is emailed to all Extension employees every Friday.
Fiscal 2009
We learned earlier this week that WSU Extension’s portion of the recently announced university $4.47 million call back http://www.wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=13389&TypeID=1 for this fiscal year (which ends June 30, 2009) is approximately 1.5 percent or $245,733. This is in addition to the 2.1 percent or $312,000 called back from Extension as part of a $6 million holdback in state funds for WSU that was due Dec. 1. Overall, WSU Extension will eliminate nearly $600,000 in one-time money from the FY09 budget.
Although any reduction in funds has a direct impact on our operations, we have done everything possible to mitigate the impact of these holdbacks. Fortunately, we had anticipated the need to have some funding flexibility and have held open administrative professional and civil service positions as the university directed last spring. The majority of our cut for the 2.1 percent holdback came from those salary savings generated by positions open in departments, centers and the office of the Dean of Extension.
Members of the WSU Extension Administrative Team met in Puyallup Wednesday of this week and agreed to let Associate Dean John Winder, Extension Budget Director Mary Hoffman and I propose a similar approach for the current 1.5 percent cut. We will work to cover that cut with cash reserves and other accruals from throughout the organization. Again, our goal is to minimize the impact on our current operations as much as possible.
Addressing these current fiscal year challenges as quickly as possible also allows us to focus on the larger picture – positioning WSU Extension for a positive future in a time of dramatic, long-term, economic constraint.
The 2010-2011 Biennium
We will know much more about the specifics of the upcoming budget biennium late next week when Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire unveils her budget proposal. It is unlikely, however, to hold any surprises in terms of the immediate economic health of the state during those two years.
President Floyd and Provost Bayly have created and are co-chairs of a university budget advisory committee. I am honored to have been named to that group, which represents a cross-section of our university community. A list of the entire membership is available in the WSU Today online article at http://www.wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID+13371&TypeID=1. The committee will hold its first meeting and receive its formal charge later today, Dec. 12. Again, I will share whatever information I can as soon as I can. I also solicit your feedback about ways to cut costs or generate more revenue. You can send me an email at lkfox@wsu.edu; my phone number is 509.335.2933.
In preparation for whatever comes, the WSU Extension A Team, Associate Dean Winder and I have started a process to look at every tool we have at our disposal to address current and future budget problems. No firm decisions have been made, but our goals at this point are two-fold. We are committed to minimizing impact on all of you, the heart and soul of WSU Extension. We also are committed to coming through the current fiscal difficulty as strongly positioned for a positive future as possible. The work we do is impactful and important and on a forward-thinking trajectory. While it will not be easy, I truly believe we can make the hard decisions we need to make to address the budget problem and still emerge as an organization that is relevant and of value to the people, economy and environment of our great state.
The A Team, Associate Dean Winder and I will meet again in mid-January armed with more specific information about what we face and continue the work we’ve started. There is a lot to consider; none of the decisions we need to make will be easy ones.
As I said earlier, I will provide ongoing updates in this space as new information becomes available. I also encourage county directors and faculty to participate in our regular monthly phone calls as a way to “stay in the loop.”
ARTICLES OF INTEREST IN WSU TODAY
There are several articles of interest in WSU Today. You can access the articles through the following links:
Gifts Make Bedtime Better for Neighboring Children - http://www.wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=13378&TypeID=1
Floyd, Bayly to Co-Chair New Committee on Budget Reduction - http://www.wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=13371&TypeID=1
Extension’s Eco-Stewardship Program Honored - http://www.wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=13374&TypeID=1
WSU ACADEMIC SHOWCASE
President Elson S. Floyd and Provost Warwick M. Bayly invite Washington State University faculty, staff, and students to present original scholarship, research, or creative expression at the University's Academic Showcase. Abstract submissions will be accepted through January 30. Learn more about submission guidelines.
Accepted abstracts will be published online and participants will present their work at Academic Showcase from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Friday, March 27, 2009, in Bohler Gym.
Academic Showcase is part of the all-day WSU Showcase event. Other activities include Celebrating Excellence, the University’s recognition banquet honoring faculty and staff; the Distinguished Faculty Address Luncheon; and a reception for WSU retirees.
WSU EXTENSION SAFETY PLAN
Washington State University Extension is required by state regulations to have an organization-wide safety plan in place. This includes clear guidelines for employees about how to avoid accidents and how to report and investigate accidents should they occur. Additionally, the safety plan provides a means of connecting personnel with educational materials that can help you avoid accidents, illness or other forms of personal injury. As a part of the plan, each district will create a safety committee to advise the District Director on safety issues, to assist in assuring compliance with rules and regulations, and to aid in prevention and reporting of accidents. To view the plan, please go to: http://ext.wsu.edu/admin/PDF/SafetyPlan.pdf
ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS ON SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
In a previous Update, we indicated that the following faculty from the School of Biological Sciences in the College of Sciences are available to speak to groups on science and environmental topics.
Brian Kemp, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Biological Sciences
Title: Using DNA evidence to reconstruct Native American prehistory
509-335-7403 (bmkemp@wsu.edu)
Richard Mack, Professor of Biological Sciences
Titles: Cheatgrass: this alien grass’s invasion in the West is a really, really big deal
Invasive species: the hidden (and growing) tax we all pay – and what to do
about it
509-335-3316 (rmack@wsu.edu)
Gary Thorgaard, Professor of Biological Sciences
Title: Genetics and conservation of salmon and steelhead
509-335-7438 (thoroglab@wsu.edu)
Michael Webster, Professor of Biological Sciences
Titles: Unlocking the secret lives of birds
Recent advances in the study of bird migration
Bird evolution
509-335-7180 (mwebster@wsu.edu)
Please note that the following individuals have been added to the speakers’ list.
Hanjo Hellmann, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Title: Green Biotechnology: Making Plants Work for You!
509-335-2762 (hellmann@wsu.edu)
Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens, Clinical Asst. Professor, WSU-Vancouver
Titles: Harmful Algae Blooms: Causes and Impacts
Women in Science: Opportunities and Challenges
360-546-9115 (rollboll@vancouver.wsu.edu)
VIRUS ALERT – eXtension
In the article titled “Attention Extension Photographers” in the 11.21.08 WSU Extension Update, two different people have opened pictures on flickr.com and the horses youtube.com site and have gotten a virus. Please do not visit these sites until they can be repaired by eXtension. We're very sorry for this inconvenience.
Flickr - If you are a photographer working in Cooperative Extension and would like to share your photos to be used in the eXtension National Initiative or other extension uses then simply add your photos to this group. (http://flickr.com/groups/extensionphotographers/)
Consumer Horticulture CoP Images (http://flickr.com/groups/870783@N23/)
YouTube - eXtension Initiative Channel
(http://www.youtube.com/user/eXtensionInitiative)
eXtension Horses Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/eXHorses)
NEWS FROM VETERINARY MEDICINE EXTENSION
To access the latest edition from Veterinary Medicine Extension - Improving ag animal health & well being today for our safety & well being tomorrow please visit http://vetextension.wsu.edu/vmehome/newsletter/index.htm
New!!! Emergency Agricultural Animal Health Notifications
Veterinary Medicine Extension will be utilizing the University Crisis Communication System to notify interested parties of agricultural animal health outbreaks or emergencies. If you’d like to be informed of agricultural animal health outbreaks or emergencies, we will need to input you manually into the system.
To register, visit: http://vetextension.wsu.edu/vmehome/announcements/index.htm
Contact Brandon at bfreitas@wsu.edu or (509) 335-8225 for questions or help registering.
PERSONNEL
Status Change:
Todd Murray, County Extension Director, Skamania County, effective January 16, 2009, 100% Extension, Faculty
Separations:
H. Dennis Brown, Extension Specialist, Marketing and News Services, effective May 31, 2009, 90% Extension, 10% Academic Programs, Retirement
Terry Swagerty, Extension Coordinator, Small Farms, Stevens County, effective December 31, 2008, AP, Retirement
SCHEDULE
Linda will be in Pullman Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, she will be attending the Workforce Innovation and Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Executive Leadership Council meeting in Elma, WA.
John will be in Pullman all week.
Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Associate Vice President and Dean
Washington State University Extension
411 Hulbert Hall, PO Box 646248
Pullman, WA 99164-6248
509-335-2933 Office
509-335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
509-335-2926 FAX
lkfox@wsu.edu
ext.wsu.edu
WSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. |
