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Letters Feb.
6, 2002
Dear Provost Gene Block and School of Engineering and Applied
Science Colleagues,
We
are all painfully aware of the difficult financial times the University
of Virginia is facing as a result of the state’s budgetary
problems. I believe our administration is doing its best to cope
with the challenges in fair ways, with sensitivity to the various
needs of the students, the faculty and the staff. Ours is a deservedly
internationally recognized institution, with great Schools and
a great College and, consequently, many demands. The challenges
facing our administration are daunting and they have our sympathy
but, more importantly, they also have our cooperation and support.
While
money is short we have other capital we should use wisely in these
difficult times. We have ourselves, a comity of scholars with
a deep regard for the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.
More than ever we should share generously one with the other.
Intellectual discussion and open, collegial debate on all matters
of concern should be encouraged. We must make sure to continue
to look after the advancement of our younger faculty, who joined
our University to succeed professionally. Let us emphasize our
leadership roles in good communication and mentoring.
We
have our students, the most precious resource we possess. Their
education in our classrooms and labs, the uncovering of new knowledge
in their company, their liberal education and the advancement
of their professional careers, should remain our top priority.
In the current climate of preoccupations, let us not forget to
attend to them.
Consider
the staff that makes our activities possible, from lab technicians
to cleaning staff, persons who work to make the place functional
and look good, in spite of the difficult times. Let us continue
to appreciate them.
But
at the same time, let us continue to respectfully remind our administration
that, like every other School and the College, SEAS has its set
of special needs. I believe we can survive a temporary lack of
salary increases. I seriously doubt our research programs can
survive a significant, protracted decrease in qualified graduate
students. Unattended, this problem will precipitate a loss of
precious, hard-earned programs, and of distinguished faculty associated
with them. In particular, the tuition differential for out-of-state
students continues to be problematic. I urge the University administration,
especially Provost Gene Block, to continue to search for an acceptable,
fair and timely solution; one that will allow SEAS to continue
to enroll the numbers of qualified graduate students it needs
to maintain its national eminence in research.
Sincerely,
Joseph
A.C. Humphrey
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
NOTE:
The SEAS Faculty Council also sent a letter to U.Va. President
John T. Casteen III last week on the urgency of offering the tuition
differential to attract new graduate students
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