UC DAVIS: OFFICE OF THE PROVOST
June 4, 2003
Provost's Update
Dear Colleagues: A lot is happening on campus as we all work hard to finish many activities prior to the end of the spring quarter. I will briefly touch on items affecting us all.
1. Budget - The May revise from Governor Davis didn't introduce any new cuts for UC; however, there are still legislative proposals with additional cuts ranging from $80-400M. Our own budget planning process is moving forward based on the current information. For more information, go to http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/budget/.
2. Summer - Last year our campus saw a tremendous growth in our summer programs - thanks to the efforts of many committed individuals. This coming summer we are witnessing another major increase at a level higher than we had anticipated. For that purpose, additional investments are being made to ensure that the summer experience will be a positive one for students, faculty and staff. For more information, please go to http://summer-sessions.ucdavis.edu/.
3. Strategic Plan - Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful and extensive input on the strategic plan. In response to that input, the plan is currently being revised and will be finalized over the summer for implementation in the fall of 2003.
4. Freshman seminars - Congratulations to folks on a major increase in the number of freshman seminars offered this last year. In 2001-02, there were 43 freshman seminars; in 2002-03, there were 93. These seminars are popular with both students and faculty and it would be great to have a significant number offered during the fall when students are first starting. For information, please go to http://trc.ucdavis.edu/index.php?s=frosh and http://trc.ucdavis.edu/trc/freshSem/current.html.
5. Proposed National Biocontainment Laboratory - NIH informed us in mid-May that the campus site for the proposed laboratory is the only one that will be considered in our current proposal. After our proposal was submitted to NIH in February, several area governments informally offered suggestions of alternative sites for the laboratory in their communities. NIH, however, explained in its letter (received May 13) that a significant site change -- such as to an off-campus location -- "could only be considered a change in the scope of the project from what was proposed in the original application" and would not be allowed. We understand that NIH is nearing completion of the scientific review process of the biocontainment lab applications. Ours is one of at least six proposals, including five from research universities throughout the nation and one from New York State Department of Health. We anticipate that those proposals will be scored sometime in June. We're preparing for a possible site visit by NIH, should our proposal be highly ranked. We are also working to establish a Community Liaison Council to facilitate communication between the campus and the public on issues related to the proposed laboratory. To keep current on this project, please periodically visit the lab's Web site at http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/biosafetylab.
6. Non-resident tuition - The joint Senate-Administration continues to meet to discuss the issues raised by the Academic Senate, particularly input from the Graduate Council and CAPBR (the Committee on Academic Planning and Budget Review). The input from the schools/colleges and Senate committees reflect greater support for the model based on residency and questions on implementation focused on the internal use of resources related to non-resident tuition. There is clearly a need to establish a policy on non-resident tuition and the Committee is considering the input in an effort to implement the policy as soon as possible.
7. Planning Committee for Classroom Facility and Master Plan - The Planning Committee for Classroom Facility and Master Plan, co-chaired by John Meyer, Vice Chancellor-Office of Resource Management and Planning and Patricia A. Turner, Vice Provost-Undergraduate Studies, has met several times this year. As they continue to make their short and long term plans for campus classrooms, they welcome comments from the campus community. Please email them at newclassrooms@ucdavis.edu.
Best regards,
Virginia S. Hinshaw
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8558
530/752-4964; Fax 530/752-2400
vshinshaw@ucdavis.edu