Thank you for continuing to submit thoughtful comments and questions regarding our budget challenges, pay reductions, furloughs, and other issues of interest or concern. There are a few recurring themes which I thought you might find interesting.
First, several writers have asked how we will communicate the impacts of the latest budget cuts, especially where services will be most impacted. As the effects of cuts (including reduced staffing levels from furlough days) take hold, we plan to post a list of service level reductions on the campus budget update page. This will include such things as reduced operating hours for libraries and service offices. It will be updated regularly.
Second, we have received comments from the campus community on furlough options (91 from non-represented staff and 61 from non-represented academic personnel) that help illuminate general areas of common interest. For example, there was more support from both groups for a lengthened winter campus closure than a several-days long closure between the winter and spring quarters.
Finally, there is considerable (and understandable!) interest in details on how the UC pay reduction/modified furlough program will be implemented. The Office of the President has asked that each campus submit an implementation plan by September 1. We are still awaiting system-wide guidelines that will inform - and which we need before we can complete - our campus plan. I know the lack of details must be as frustrating to you as it is to me. We will share those details with you as soon as they are available.
I'll be off campus next week and don't plan to send a weekly letter. However, if conditions change and furlough details do emerge, we will get the information to you.
On an unrelated yet important topic, I want to commend UCSC firefighters, police personnel, and conference services staff for aiding in efforts to fight the recent Lockheed fire. Seven UCSC fire fighters worked on the fire lines and others continue to assist in mop-up operations. Our campus hosted more than 200 out-of-town firefighters at Crown College earlier this week.
UCSC faculty and staff were among those directly impacted by the fire, including a number of evacuees. I'm grateful that there was no loss of life or serious injury, and that property damage appears to have been relatively minor.
