Dear Colleagues,
In recent years the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture has enjoyed unprecedented support from both the state legislature and from across the University. This has resulted in significant growth in enrollment (since 2009, up nearly 65% at both the undergraduate and Ph.D. levels), significant growth in the number of faculty (adding approximately 25 new faculty positions and hiring 32 new tenure-track faculty members when vacancies became available over the past two years), and significant growth in research expenditures (since 2010, up 75%) as well as intellectual property licensing. We’ve introduced the BSME and BSEE degree programs in both Bremerton and Everett, and are now working on introducing software engineering in Everett and online, as well. In short, the VCEA has never been more vibrant nor productive, and your efforts are most appreciated.
Unfortunately, owing to university-level budget and resource constraints, as well as commitments in other areas, the university upper administration recently decided to implement additional budget cuts to the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture beyond the five-percent budget reallocation described previously. These additional cuts, which are being implemented through upwardly adjusting our baseline enrollments for enrollment-based budgeting, will be retroactively effective as of July 1, 2015. This is part of the university’s broader effort to reexamine how its budgets, including enrollment-based budgets, are allocated.
The extent of these additional cuts, coupled with the untimely death of Ed Pate in bioengineering, and a decision by the ARC and CAHNRS not to renew an agreement with chemical engineering, amount to nearly 15% when added to the 5% budget reallocation cut that becomes effective July 1, 2016.
We are working on understanding the impacts of these cuts on our college. For the time being, it is necessary to postpone all searches for this year. These will be re-evaluated after the results of the strategic reallocation RFP have been announced. We will continue to work with the Provost’s Office and other entities to meet our commitments and continue to invest in our strategic priorities and urgent needs. Despite the suspension of these searches, we will preserve and protect the progress we have made to date, including honoring our commitments to our new faculty.
Thank you for all of your efforts. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Candis Claiborn
Dean, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture