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5:00 p.m., Nov. 14, 2002--Continuing its tradition of academic excellence while enhancing student support in challenging economic times were the chief concerns expressed by University of Delaware President David P. Roselle as he outlined UD’s request for state appropriations for the next fiscal year to members of the governor’s executive staff in Dover on Nov. 13.
Before presenting capital and operating budget requests for the 2004 fiscal year, Roselle noted the importance of the University as a resource for the state’s present and future prosperity.
He also reviewed some of the cost-cutting steps UD has taken, such as using technology to transfer the University from a paper-intensive institution to one with administrative functions that are largely web-based.
Roselle said that these and other actions, including outsourcing of food services and bookstore operations, helped UD to achieve further economies without sacrificing service to the University community.
Capital appropriations requests
Leading the list of capital requests presented by the president is $10 million to assist with a pair of major construction projects. This includes $6 million for the continuing renovations and additions to Wolf Hall and $4 million to support costs associated with the expansion of P.S. du Pont Hall.
Named for P.S. du Pont, one of UD’s greatest benefactors, the building houses faculty, administrative and graduate student offices, as well as engineering laboratories and clean rooms that provide a dust-free environments for special electrical and computing engineering activities.
While describing the recently rededicated building as an essential enhancement to the College of Engineering as well as a notable improvement to The Green, Roselle noted that UD had originally asked for $8 million in state funds to help offset costs of the $25.6 million project.
“This project is completed and the University is carrying—at a considerable expense—the planned portion of the cost that had been agreed to by the state,” Roselle said. “This means that the University must take on additional indebtedness, compromising its capacity to address other pressing capital needs.”
Other capital needs mentioned by Roselle include a $26 million renovation of Wolf Hall that includes the rehabilitation of existing facilities and the construction of a 10,000-square-foot addition to accommodate the programmatic needs of the departments of Psychology and Biological Sciences.
The requested funds will address the needs for infrastructural and system updates, as well as the renovation of outdated laboratories to meet current and future demands for new technology.
While noting state contributions towards these projects, Roselle said that UD has leveraged five dollars for each state dollar appropriated for campus construction over the past decade.
“In each of the foregoing examples, among many others, the University and the state have jointly underwritten the capital costs associated with each project,” Roselle said. “And, in every instance, investment in the University’s infrastructure has proven to be a wise and prudent fiscal commitment.”
Roselle also acknowledged the financial constraints faced by the state and how, during his 12-plus years as president, the University has accepted and worked with the state to meet these challenges.
“Our ability to collaboratively target financial resources in the best interests of the citizens of Delaware was tested during the recession of the early 1990s,” Roselle said. “Unfortunately, it is once again being tested in these difficult times.”
UD also is seeking $1.5 million in facilities renewal and renovation funds, including $500, 000 to support the cost of renovating Mechanical Hall, a historically important building adjacent to Old College.
When completely renovated, Mechanical Hall will become the permanent home of the Paul R. Jones Art Collection and other collections. One of the oldest, largest and most complete holdings of African-American art in America, the Paul Jones Collection includes works by such noted artists as Charles White, Herman “Kofi” Bailey, David Driskell and Elizabeth Catlett.
The remaining $1 million in facilities renewal funds will be allocated to the Du Pont Hall project to help meet the shortfall in state funding.
The University also seeks $1 million in minor capital equipment funds, with targeted initiatives including the colleges of Marine Studies, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts and Science, Health and Nursing Sciences and Engineering.
Operating appropriations requests
Additional requests for the 2004 fiscal year include:
- $736,400 for scholarship funds to address anticipated increases in tuition and shortfalls in inflationary funding for four scholarship programs that directly benefit Delaware residents, including: $346,600 for general scholarships; $141,000 for the Minority Student Recruitment Program; $157,100 for the Aid to Needy Students Special Line; and $191,700 for the “Scholarships” line, which supports student athletes in men’s and women’s intercollegiate varsity sports.
- $500,000 to cover a projected 10 percent increase in the cost of journal subscriptions, plus the purchase of new volumes, journals, microforms, and databases that are essential to support a vibrant library program. The Association for Research Libraries consistently ranks Morris Library among the top 100 research libraries.
“The University of Delaware has made significant strides over the past decade in making the institution an exceptionally attractive opportunity for our brightest young high school students, our most creative faculty and staff, and a source of pride for the citizens of our state,” Roselle said. “In difficult economic times such as these, it is important to reflect on what the University and the state have accomplished together, and to continue to plan for the future, knowing that the economy will ultimately recover.”
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kathy Flickinger
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