Editor’s Note: This is the second story in a series about how the University budget cuts will affect each college.

CALS to cut research, academic programs

Cuts could lead to larger class sizes, reduced faculty

Daniel Ellis

Deputy News Editor

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is planning budget cuts in

the areas of academics, research and extension in response to the state’s

struggling economic situation.

“There will be a four percent one-time cut on the research and extension

programs,” Johnny Wynne, dean & executive director for agricultural

programs, said.

“On the academic side, we will have budget cut of about 3 percent.”

Wynne noted that the academic cuts would be slightly lower due to

assistance coming in from the office of Provost Larry Nielsen.

“The provost will be covering the first 1 percent out of the reserves

that he has available,” Wynne said.

Wynne said the budget cuts for research and extension would total

$2,085,000 and $1,685,000. Meanwhile, the academic cuts would only total $394,500, due to Nielson’s help, he said. The academic cuts will likely increase class sizes for students, which Natasha Vos, a sophomore in animal science, said is acceptable.

“This is a big university, so we kind of expect class sizes to be big when

taking introductory level courses,” Vos said.

The CALS budget modifications are part of a $9 million overall cut following the state budget office’s orders for a minimum 2-percent reduction in planned spending.

“I understand with the state of the economy it might be necessary,” Vos

said. “But, academics should be the last thing we’re cutting, after

extracurriculars and everything else.”

Wynne said the college plans to meet Tuesday to respond to these budget cuts following a series of proposed reports.

“We’ve asked each of the department heads to make a plan for these type of

cuts,” he said. “We are planning on meeting to review these plans to

determine what kind of impacts they will have.”

The dean also indicated that the cuts will be far-reaching, affecting both

faculty, students and researchers.

“It will be more than just reducing operations,” Wynne said.

“We’re going to have to reduce some personnel and we may end up having to

reduce the number of courses we teach.”

Logan Corley, a sophomore in biological sciences, said he realizes that the budget cuts could potentially restrict the convenience of a wide array of class times and the amount of assistance available for students.

“It just means its going to turn the focus back on the students rather

than having it handed to them,” she said. “It’ll also make it harder to

get your classes finished in four years.”

Although Wynne said he would like to keep the negative effects to a minimal, he realizes that students will inevitably experience the aftermath of the cuts.

“If we have less courses, it’s obviously going to impact students,” Wynne

said. “Having less teaching assistants and paid graduate students will

also have an impact.”