UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 12, Page 1
November 19, 1992
Fiscal '94 request seeks equitable state treatment
President David P. Roselle Nov. 13 urged members of the
governor's executive staff to provide equitable budget treatment of
the University of Delaware in the upcoming fiscal year.
"We are fully sympathetic to the economic constraints experienced
by the state government in recent years, and we have been a fully
cooperative partner in dealing with those constraints," Roselle said.
"We are, nonetheless, compelled to point out that the rate of
growth from F.Y. 1988 to F.Y. 1993 in the state appropriation to the
University continues to be substantially below that for other higher
education units, the total higher education budget and the overall
state budget," he added.
The University's state appropriation growth rate over that period
is 14 percent, while the total state appropriation to higher education
grew at 21 percent and the total state budget grew at 24 percent,
Roselle said, noting that the Consumer Price Index for the period was
22 percent.
"We are not asking for special treatment with respect to our
state appropriation," he said. "However, we must argue as forcefully
as possible for equitable treatment."
The University's request involves restoration of the $1,674,800
proposed reduction in the state appropriation from Fiscal Year 1993.
The proposed reduction "constitutes a real and substantial threat
to the University's capability to deliver the instructional, research
and public service activities that have earned it a regional and
national reputation for excellence," Roselle said.
"The University of Delaware is a genuine resource and source of
pride to the people of this state," he said. "Although Delaware is
small with respect to its geographical size and population, its state
University stands tall with other major land-grant universities
throughout the nation in the quality and breadth of its undergraduate
and graduate programs, the scope of its research and public service
activities and its capacity to improve the general quality of life for
our residents."
Roselle said that the proposed reduction in the state
appropriation would necessarily be translated into further staff
reductions, tuition increases and program discontinuation.
He said that of particular concern is the Delaware Research
Partnership, a program that has attracted $7.7 million of industrial
support since 1985. Also mentioned were probable reductions in certain
extension and public service programs.
The remainder of the University's request was for modest
increases in several budget lines, most particularly scholarships for
top-level Delaware residents.
"Access to the University for all qualified students, regardless
of ability to pay tuition and other costs, is a cornerstone of the
University's admissions policy," Roselle said.
Other increases were sought for
* library books and periodicals;
* the Small Business Development Center to develop satellite
offices at Delaware State College in Dover and at Delaware
Tech in Georgetown;
* establishment of a Delaware Principals' Leadership Academy,
reinforcing Delaware's position as a national leader in
educational reform;
* a faculty position in the College of Physical Education,
Athletics and Recreation in the area of health education;
* support of instructional activities and equipment repair and
replacement for the Medical Technology Program;
* expansion of degree programs in southern Delaware,
particularly the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Program
primarily housed in the Georgetown Higher Education
Building;
* an assistant coach for women's basketball, to ensure equity
of support for men's and women's basketball; and
* equipment for undergraduate laboratories, particularly in
chemistry, physics, engineering and agricultural
engineering.
President Roselle also outlined the University's capital budget
request, which includes four items. In priority order, they
are
* $1 million to complete construction of the Lammot du Pont
Chemistry, Biochemistry and Marine Studies Laboratory, in
addition to the state's past appropriation of $16 million
and the University's private fundraising of $3 million;
* $1 million for facilities renewal and renovation, with one of
the first projects to be the renewal of Robinson Hall,
including upgrading the electrical system and installing new
lighting and enhanced temperature and humidity controls as
well as upgrading handicapped accessibility to meet current
codes;
* $4 million for construction of an addition of 40,500 square
feet to Colburn Laboratory, home of the University's
prestigious Department of Chemical Engineering, as well as
modification of the building's existing space to accommodate
new laboratories and to improve mechanical and utilities
systems; and
* $2 million for an addition to and renovation of Purnell Hall,
which houses the College of Business and Economics.
President Roselle commented upon the completion and dedication of
the Bob Carpenter Center as well as the Lammot du Pont Laboratory,
scheduled for completion in the spring of 1993.
Both projects are jointly funded by the state and friends of the
University and thus serve as models for the projects now proposed, he
said.