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December 19, 2008
Topics in today's issue of Extension Update:
DEAR COLLEAGUES—BUDGET UPDATE
We have received several pieces of new information about the WSU budget challenges since I wrote last week.
Most importantly, we now have some sense of the scope of our challenge; Gov. Christine Gregoire’s budget proposal, which was released yesterday, calls for a 12 percent, or approximately $31 million, reduction in WSU’s state funds for FY 2010. That may be offset by a proposed 7 percent increase in student tuition; in which case, we are looking at an actual reduction of approximately 8 percent, or approximately $22 million.
Other than knowing it will be a large number, I, as of yet, have no specifics on what portion of the reduction WSU Extension will bear. To date, we have been working on eliminating nearly $600,000 in one-time funds from the FY 2009 budget. But please keep in mind, this latest round will be permanent reductions and may change during the state legislative session, which many are predicting will last well into late spring.
Larry Ganders, WSU’s governmental relations director, has outlined details of the governor’s proposal in his Olympia Updates column, which you can access at http://www.olympia.wsu.edu/News/2009_News_One.aspx. Please note that you can subscribe to these announcements if you’d like to receive them on a regular basis.
In addition, President Floyd has shared his thoughts on the situation in an email you should have received this morning. Bottom line of his remarks? “While everything is on the table – as it must be when attempting to absorb a reduction of this size – we will make every effort to protect student access, to stay true to our academic priorities, and to protect current employees.”
That echoes what the WSU Budget Committee, co-chaired by President Floyd and Executive Vice President Warwick Bayly, outlined as its guiding principles at its first meeting last Friday. The principles include the following:
- Everything is on the table
- Protect people to the extent possible
- Maintain student access without compromising quality
- Emerge from the financial crisis as a stronger institution and as quickly as possible
- Be guided by strategic priorities
- Mission-driven decisions
- Diversify financial resources where possible and increase efficiency and productivity
The committee, comprised of faculty, staff and administrators from throughout WSU, has been charged with assisting in fact-finding and decision-making regarding the budget reductions facing the university for the upcoming biennium. You can read more about the committee and its work at http://budget-committee.wsu.edu/. As a member of the committee, I appreciate any suggestions you have about ways to cut costs or generate more revenue. My email address is lkfox@wsu.edu; my phone number is 509.335.2933.
CHANGES IN “ALL EXTENSION CONFERENCE” FORMAT
On alternate years, extension personnel gather for professional development, recognition, and networking. In light of state budget cuts and holdbacks, the Washington State University All Extension Conference will take a new twist next spring. Scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2009, it will feature high profile speakers, group discussions and networking, by leveraging innovative uses of technology at a variety of sites around the state.
One of the finest characteristics of WSU Extension is the ability to assess a challenge and respond with creative, practical solutions. Right-sizing the All Extension Conference allows us to continue to bring some of the latest ideas to and further the professional development of our most valuable asset – our faculty and staff – while respecting the economic realities of the day.
Rather than a multi-day gathering on the Pullman campus, the conference will be a single-day symposium delivered via technology to locations in every corner of the state. In addition to keynote presentations by speakers such as Cheryl Scott, the new chief operating officer (COO) of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; David Brewster, Publisher of Crosscut.com ; and Paul Roberts, author of “The End of Food,” the conference will feature a variety of site specific discussions led by Extension experts. Dean Fox and WSU President Elson S. Floyd will participate in the one-day conference.
The conference organizing committee also is looking into opportunities for offering some of the track sessions via technology or at different locations to specific audiences throughout 2009. Thanks to all the committee members for adjusting to this need to change the format.
Extension leaders say the switch to a virtual conference will realize a substantial cost savings that instead will be used to support ongoing Extension programming.
More details about the All Extension Conference will be available very soon. For all extension employees, continue to hold March 11 as a commitment to your professional development.
CARNEGIE ‘ENGAGED UNIVERSITY’ CLASSIFICATION ACHIEVED
As reported in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced this week, December 18, 2008 that it has selected Washington State University for its coveted designation as a school that fosters “community engagement.” The foundation, based in Washington, D.C. selected schools around the nation who demonstrate excellence in “alignment between mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement.” Washington State University was chosen in both the category of Curricular Engagement and the category of Outreach and Partnerships.
The results are now posted on the Carnegie site http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/classifications/sub.asp?key=1213&subkey=2215 . Washington State University received the full classification (curricular and outreach/partnerships). It appears that we are the only institution in the state of Washington to receive this acclaim. You can find the list of the institutions on the Carnegie Foundation web site.
It was not a slam dunk! One hundred and forty-seven (147) institutions submitted applications by the September 1 deadline from the initial 217 institutions who declared their intentions last spring. One hundred and nineteen (119) institutions were successfully classified in Community Engagement, while 28 institutions were not classified in this process. Of the successful institutions, 110 were classified in both Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships. WSU was classified in both categories. Of the total applications, three were classified in Curricular Engagement only, and six were classified in Outreach and Partnerships only. WSU joins 12 of our 22 peers in gaining full classification—four were classified in 2006 and another eight classified along with us this time!
Congratulations to the Outreach and Engagement Council, Institutional Research, and John Gardner and staff at WSU West! Thanks much to Vernette Doty who assisted us greatly with the data gathering, especially the 15 examples of our engagement!
REMINDERS ABOUT SEVERE WEATHER AND OFFICE CLOSURES
When severe weather conditions occurs, questions of office closure arise. It is time to review the Business Policies and Procedures Manual to answer your questions about emergency closure. Do you use annual leave or personal holiday, or other leave? The answer depends on if you are Faculty, Classified staff, or Administrative Professional.
“Suspended operations” http://www.wsu.edu/~forms/HTML/BPPM/50_Safety_and_Security/50.40_Suspended_Operations.htm are covered by BPPM 50.40 Safety and Security. The Associate Vice President and Dean, WSU Extension determines whether or not to shut down extension offices in the event of an emergency. The Dean sends an e-mail message suspending operations to all affected non-Pullman Extension faculty and staff.
WSU President may suspend the operation of all or any part of the institution whenever the President determines that public health, property, or safety is jeopardized. If the President is not available, the Provost or the Vice President for Business Affairs, or, in the absence of these officers, any other vice president may suspend operations. Supervisors of off-Pullman campus facilities are responsible for suspending operations in the facility as dictated by emergency circumstances. Under Personnel section 60.40 you will find “Staffing during emergency closures” and the information on accounting for hours not worked.
AFRI – NEW FARM BILL AUTHORIZED GRANTS INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
The 2008 Farm Bill authorized the creation of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which replaces the National Research Initiative (NRI). AFRI offers research, education, extension project opportunities that focus on six key areas of importance to agriculture, nutrition, food safety, environment, and rural communities.
1. Plant Health and Production and Plant Products
2. Animal Health and Production and Animal Products
3. Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health
4. Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment
5. Agriculture Systems and Technology
6. Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities
CSREES released the AFRI program announcement on the agency’s Web site www.csrees.usda.gov and on Grants.gov. The program announcement provides an overview of the legislation that created the AFRI program and describes programs being offered in Fiscal Year 2009. The program descriptions contain the program priorities, deadline dates, budget limitations, and contact information. The program announcement does not contain all information needed to submit an application. That information will be contained in the AFRI Request for Applications (RFA). The AFRI RFA is anticipated in January 2009.
The full AFRI program announcement is available at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/afri/pdfs/program_announcement.pdf. Potential applicants are advised to review the entire AFRI program announcement closely to ensure that they understand the full range of programs and grant types available.
ADDRESS CHANGE – PUYALLUP R&E CENTER
The Puyallup Research and Extension Center (R&EC) has recently been annexed into the City of Puyallup. Due to this annexation the address will change. Please make the address change as of January 1, 2009.
Old address:
7612 Pioneer Way E
New address:
2606 W Pioneer
Puyallup, WA 98371-4998
Source: Cindy Armstrong, CSANR, Puyallup
STRENGTHENING FAMLIES TRAINING IN JANUARY
The WSU Strengthening Families Team is pleased to announce a special training in the Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 Years. The training will be held in Puyallup on January 7-8, 2009. We are offering this at a very reduced rate to encourage participation and as our New Year's gift to you all. The $65 per person fee will cover lunch on both days, training materials. It is a great opportunity to train new folks for your existing teams or to train a new team.
Renee Overath, WSU Kitsap County Faculty, and Drew Betz will be conducting the training.
The registration form is posted at the Strengthening Families Website: http://sfp.wsu.edu.
Please pass this on to people you think may be interested. The registration deadline is December 30th.
eXtension FINANCIAL CRISIS RESOURCES
America's financial crisis continues to be on the minds of people everywhere. With the holidays approaching, the gloomy forecast for the economy has many people asking more and more questions about what actions they might take to help improve their personal or family situations. Extension, as always, is ready to help.
eXtension's Communities of Practice have worked to bring together a number of resources that Extension clients across the country will find helpful during these troubled times. Found at www.extension.org/Financial_Crisis , the resources are organized into five categories: business, families, farms & ranches, individuals, and youth. The articles and reports found in these categories are the "best of the best" resources available on finances today.
PERSONNEL and SCHEDULE
The office will not be fully staffed on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 22 and 23. However, there will be someone here to answer your calls. The WSU Extension Dean’s office will be closed on December 25 and 26, and January 1 for the New Year’s holiday. Linda will be in Pullman December 22 through 24 and December 29 through 31. John has a similar schedule, with exception of annual leave on January 2.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS—LAST ISSUE OF EXTENSION UPDATE FOR 2008
The close of another calendar year gives me pause to reflect upon the people and events that continue to give us encouragement for our work and connections in WSU. We are in challenging times. We are needed more than ever to address the complex issues of communities, businesses and families. On behalf of the leadership of WSU Extension I want to extend to all of you words of appreciation and gratitude. Please accept my warmest wishes to you this holiday season. Enjoy your time with family and friends. Be safe, stay warm! This is the last issue of Extension Update for 2008.
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. |
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