Speaking to more than 100 faculty members during his annual State of the Campus address Feb. 19, Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef said that he’s never seen the campus so troubled in his nine-year tenure.
Budget reductions, student fee increases and an economic recession are challenging the campus, the chancellor said. Add to this the 9/11 tragedy, the Columbia disaster and ongoing terror alerts, and Vanderhoef said, "we are in for rough times" in the near future. "And so we’ve dealt well with all these matters individually, but will we be able to handle them all at once? We will, of course, if only because we must," he said.
Vanderhoef said that campus is preparing plans for internal rehiring, training for alternate positions and job search assistance. "These programs are aimed primarily toward helping staff, and for good reason. It is they who suffered most in the early 1990s, and by some measures have never fully recovered," Vanderhoef said. He described the cuts in K-12 outreach programs as a "tragedy."
On the positive side, Vanderhoef pointed out that the UC system will not be hit as hard as many state agencies and that projected student enrollment increases will be funded.
Vanderhoef also explained why the university is exploring the possibility of joining Division I athletics. "People have talked lots about retaining what we have and stating that that means staying in Division II." Vanderhoef said. "It is my view that that’s no longer possible. Division II is not what it was even just 10 years ago."
The chancellor noted that the Aggies are interested in Division I-AA football, which is clearly distinct from the Division I-A level that has endured academic and commercial problems. He also suggested Division II no longer allows UC Davis to compete at a proportionate level.
"As you can see, I have views on this matter, and I wanted to be absolutely up front with them," Vanderhoef said. "However, I learned long ago not to make a decision until you must – and until you have heard all views."
The Academic Senate is casting an advisory vote on the Division I issue. Ballots were due Feb. 21 and results were expected by Wednesday (after Dateline’s deadline). The chancellor will likely decide by March 1 whether the Aggies accept an invitation to join the Division I Big West Conference. Under UC rules, the decision is ultimately up to the chancellor, though Vanderhoef is considering faculty and student opinion.
Vanderhoef also discussed the proposed biocontainment lab, and the search for a new UC President.
On the biocontainment lab, Vanderhoef explained that it would serve a national need and that the campus has the right people to conduct research and operate the lab. He acknowledged that critics have concerns about federal control, any restrictions on published research and classified research.
"These are matters that everyone on this campus must worry about," he said, noting that the university is committed to exchanging information in an open and public manner. He suggested that the Academic Senate facilitate the process of "respectful debate" about the biocontainment lab.
With UC President Richard Atkinson due to retire soon, Vanderhoef said he has forwarded the names of possible candidates to those in charge of recruiting. He anticipates the new UC president will be announced this spring. He ruled himself out as a candidate.
In closing, the chancellor said he has worked 19 years on campus and took pride in his relationship with faculty members, noting, "You are the best and I never forget that."