Administration: Meet the Dean
Angle's Update
A weekly update from Dean & Director J. Scott Angle
December 18, 2008
Budget Update – There is little new information on the budget. Our next Wimba update will be January 16, 2009 at 9 a.m. I hope that by this time we will have more information, especially confirmation of the extent of the FY 09 budget cut.
We still are planning on a 10% reduction and our goal remains to avoid layoffs. The college administrative team is meeting with unit heads to discuss unit plans for a 10% reduction. We completed our most recent series of meetings on Tuesday of this week. I am pleased to report that while plans are not firmed up at this time, just about all units are taking this process seriously and have developed plans that should allow us to meet the reduction goal. I think everyone understands the critical nature of the problems we are facing and that by working together and doing our part, we hopefully can get through this without layoffs. Thanks to each of the unit heads for the thoughtful leadership they are showing. There are no promises at this point in time since both the extent of the budget reduction remains in doubt plus individual unit plans can change. But, so far I am pleased with our progress.
Having said this, there is little doubt that we are going to have some major and critical gaps in our ability to meet the needs of the state. A number of our senior and most respected, faculty, agents and staff will be retiring over the coming few months. Hire backs will help us bridge the gap, but I don’t want to ignore the problems we will be facing with the loss of so much experience. It is going to take us several years to recover lost ground.
Thank you – This has been a difficult year and next year looks like it will not be much better. I sincerely appreciate everyone’s willingness to help the college through this uncertain period. We have seen many uncommon and gracious offers to help, including placing hard line staff on soft funding until we get through this downturn and even offers to retire early if it means saving the jobs of others.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank two special groups. I first thank the associate dean’s council (Joe Broder, Bob Shulstad, Beverly Sparks, Jean Bertrand, Tony Tyson, Steve Brown, Ron Walcott, and Mark Eason). This is an exceptional leadership group that works well together to solve problems and lead the college. I have been associated with several similar groups and this is by far the most effective and cooperative I have ever seen. We are truly fortunate to have such a fine group of professionals helping the college.
I also want to thank the CAES dean’s administrative office staff (Lisa Chandler, Candy Sears and KAT Phipps). Many people, both within and outside the university, have commented to me that this is one of the most cheerful and helpful groups they have encountered. KAT, Candy and Lisa are the first individuals you meet when calling or visiting the dean’s office, so their efforts are critical for effective operations. My sincere appreciation goes out to each of these ladies.
I am very pleased with the college’s response to the “Secure UGA” campaign. The university-wide training completion rate was 86%. Our college’s completion percentage was 91%. Cooperative Extension Service listed personnel participation at 97%.
I WISH EVERYONE A PEACEFUL, HAPPY AND HEALTHY CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY SEASON.