Entertaining an audience of University faculty, staff, community members and students at Old Cabell Hall yesterday during The State of the University Address, University President John T. Casteen, III covered a series of wide-ranging topics from state budget issues to concerns within the University community in the changing face of Virginia academics and economics?.
Casteen first addressed the effect of commonwealth budget cuts on the University, noting the slowed pace of the state economy currently has a limited effect on the University. According to Casteen, the 6.25 percent statewide budget cut -- about $9.2 million of the University's budget -- is a "modest" cut and has not significantly altered University procedures, but cannot guarantee that same limited effect in the future.
"Last year, there was a $1 million surplus," Casteen said. "Since that time the economy has weakened ... all parties [in the Virginia legislature] at this point seem to agree that the shortfalls will continue."
For University faculty, these shortfalls may translate into salary reductions, and although the burden of this year's budget cut will not yet be directly placed on the University faculty's shoulders, Casteen noted future salaries will be contingent upon forthcoming state revenue predictions.
"We should acknowledge that if revised revenue predictions are published and they're bad, salary increases will be hard to come by [through] public sources," Casteen said.
The possibility of gloomy predictions, however, will not prevent Casteen from demanding an increase in faculty salaries.
"We will argue for capacity to raise salaries appropriately to the market regardless of what the state may be able to do," Casteen said.
Faculty Senate Chair Ricardo Padron also noted following Casteen's speech that this year's budget cuts will not affect faculty.
"Budget cuts are never welcome and it remains to see how it will play out," Padron said, adding that the predicted steadiness of salaries is indicative of the overall financial health of the University.
Padron said, however, he had hoped Casteen would have spent more time discussing plans to increase the number of University faculty in the address.
Casteen also spoke yesterday about the dean searches in the College, Law School, School of Medicine, Nursing School, School of Continuing and Professional Studies and Batten School.
"These are important decisions, because these new leaders will shape the University's future in the next decade and beyond," Casteen said.
Tim Garson, executive vice president and provost, concurred with Casteen, noting that most of the dean searches are well underway and the University hopes to complete all interviews by late April.
Another focal point of Casteen's address was AccessUVa.
"Support for AccessUVa is growing, as awareness of failure of national and state financial aid systems grows," Casteen said. "The program is widely imitated and widely recognized for its early adoption and dramatic effect."
According to Casteen, 848 students from both low- and middle-income level households in the Class of 2011 are covered by AccessUVa. Casteen also noted the Class of 2011 is unique for its diversity.
"[The] Class of 2011 is the most diverse class in our history," Casteen said.
More than 3,200 students are anticipated in the entering class, Casteen said, adding that 33.5 percent identify themselves as either minorities or international students. Women, according to Casteen, comprise 57 percent of the entering class.
These recent developments, Casteen said, bode well for all members of the University community.
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