Page 117 - ThePhoenix1992-93

THE PHOENIX ~1£3~~~~i;~!~~::~:~. Western Maryland College report that the faculty also pose "the that smaller numbers of In its January 25th draft of the 1993 single greatest area of nondiscretionary students contributing less Long Range Plan, Western Maryland long-term expenditure," Indeed, fully revenue demands some College states that, "one or the essential fifty percent of the College's operating sort of reactive policy. strengths of a liberal education has al- budget is exhausted in salary and "fringe One member at the rae- ways been its adaptabilityand inclusive- benefit expense," In times of economic ulty meeting suggested ness." However, in its own efforts to prosperity, this fact might be reconcil- "nibbling" away at the fat "adapt" to current and projected eco- able; but at a time when the market is in the budget, in order to ~ nomic hardships, the College may lose sluggish, and prospects for growth are avoid reductions. Indeed, the "inclusiveness" tbat it holds so dear. few and far between, theCoUege is look- in the past, measures such ~ ~ ing for ways to control expenditures. Tile as eliminating amenities, At a special faculty meeting March idea of "restructuring" is, at this time. a initiating hiring and salary c~r·"~.I-,.U~ 30th, Dean Seligman reported that given proposed alternative. freezes, and implementing the current (and projected) economic The overall issue, says Seligman, overall budget reductions situation, "there is the need to reduce the comes down to simple economics: at this were enough to parry any expenditure base of the College." moment in higher education there is a actual "cuts." Seligman In the proposed Long Range Plan, re- large supply and relatively little demand. pointed out, however, that ductions will come from, among other The problem arises from factors such as the budget has been worn to the bone by recommend which, if any, of tbe posi- things, salaries and benefits. Perhaps the demographics and the increasing respon- such "nibbling," and that restructuring is tions to refill. most pressing issue for those in atten- sibility of financial aid. Due to these fac- the only viable option left to the College. Moreover, for those departments left daoce, however, was the knowledge that tors, there are fewer students attending He stresses, however, that during this with positions vacant, there is the danger the size and composition of the faculty, the college than in previous years, and process of restructuring he would be un- of being pronounced "inviable" by the itself, is expected to be affected by the those students are paying smaller per- ceasingly committed to "retain[ing] the APC. That is, if a department (with va- proposal. centages of the total costs of the college. integrity of the academic program and cancies unfilled) is detennined unable to While asserting that the' faculty of Those who have benefitted from West- quality of life" at W.M.C. maintain its "academic integrity," it will While unwilling to go into particulars, be pronounced "inviable" and discontin- Seligman noted that the restructuring ued as a program of study. The Time for'Room Jffl>c~ would occur through There are a larger for some programs than others. In of "restructuring't looms This process the attrition by retirement. of faculty memo who will be of retire- Draw Approaches number age in the next few years. When response to a confidential concerning (from the of faculty Seligman to the faculty) ment those faculty leave, it will be up to the possible repercussions of restructuring to See Restructure, Page 2 Academic Planning Committee (APe) to By SANDRA R. ELLMAN One UMBC Student's Brush S'