As the University devises its budget strategy for next year, many departments, academic and otherwise, are trying to figure out how they will cope with coming cuts. 

One way that the University has discussed saving money is to merge two colleges together; the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Natural Resources.

Currently this idea is nothing but a rumor, according to Robert Brown, the dean of CNR.  Although there has been much speculation about the idea of a merger, the University will not release information on any official decisions until March 15.

“There are a lot of rumors flying around right now, due to the budget cuts that we are facing.  But for right now, that is all they are: rumors,” Brown said.

The University is considering several reorganizations due to the budget cuts. A CALS-CNS merger to save money is a possibility, as the University is reorganizing all financial aspects of school.

“We’re all concerned about dealing with these budget cuts, and that does cause some anxiety for people,” Brown said.

Although a merger is an option, Brown said there are other options that will be considered and implemented first. 

Brown said, were the colleges to merge, it might not even save much money.  The only position that would truly be cut out, funding-wise, would be the salary for one dean, since the colleges would share a dean if they were to merge.

Brown said the colleges would still require the same number of faculty and staff in order to accommodate the student body.

“It has been done at other colleges, and it does save some money. But, you need the same number of faculty and staff, so I’m not sure that it’s enough.  The main question is whether or not it is effective, and it generally is not,” Brown said.

Johnny Wynne, CALS dean and executive director for agricultural programs, said speculation about a merger is a moot point as of now.  CALS is focusing on how to keep as many courses as possible rather than making plans for the possible merger.

“I’m just as ignorant as anyone else is about this, so I haven’t really thought about it,” Wynne said. “Right now, we just want to do all we can to protect our budget and stay concerned about teaching good courses for our students.”

Despite the concerns over the merger, Brown and Wynne both said they would be supportive of the Chancellor’s decision, regardless of the outcome. 

“Nothing happens at this University without a lot of thought being put into it.  We are going to be supportive of whatever the Chancellor decides to do because it will be in the best interests of this University,” Brown said.