From the President

Like the majority of states, Connecticut now confronts very serious budget challenges. Although it’s difficult to predict accurately how this crisis will affect the University’s funding, its programs, students and employees, I do know that the impact will be substantial.

President Michael J. Hogan in the SS&C Technologies Financial Accelerator, located in downtown Hartford, part of the UConn School of Business. Photo by Paul Horton

The Governor has proposed a budget plan for the next biennium, and the General Assembly is discussing the plan, along with a range of possible solutions not included in the Governor’s proposal. These discussions will likely continue into the summer before budget decisions and the appropriation for UConn are made.

I’m meeting with state officials and legislators to find the best ways for UConn to work with the state as we all face these challenges together.

Like other state agencies and the citizens we serve, UConn will have to make sacrifices. We must do our part to help the state absorb the deficit and are approaching this daunting task with strategic analysis and innovative thinking. Our most important principle is to protect, to the extent possible, the outstanding quality of our programs and our students’ access to them.

Last November I appointed a special task force of faculty, staff and administrators to review current operations, seek efficiencies and identify opportunities for enhancing revenues outside of state appropriations and tuition/fees.

This task force recommended measures to realize savings and revenues of approximately $5 million to $7 million by the end of fiscal year 2010. Added to the $12 million in permanent savings we’ve already generated in FY09, this is an impressive result. We are implementing these steps immediately.

In an additional effort to shield our programs of distinction, I’ve convened a Committee for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Programs. This committee is charged with identifying our most outstanding graduate and professional programs and recommending strategies to ensure their ongoing vitality. It will report to me later this year.

We need to protect the programs and activities that make UConn an important asset to the state.

This edition’s cover story, which describes UConn’s contributions to economic development, reports that every state dollar allocated to UConn generates a $5.05 increase in Connecticut’s gross domestic product. In addition, the combined operations of UConn and our Health Center result in a net financial gain to the state coffers of more than $76 million each year.

And, in 2008, we leveraged the state’s $456 million in support to bring an additional $713.5 million into the Connecticut economy. The full report is on the UConn Web site. I hope you’ll take a look. It’s as much about the leadership and contributions from you – our many alumni, employees, students and friends – as it is about the University.

UConn remains inherently sound. It retains its standing of leadership among other public universities across the country. Together with the talent and commitment of our faculty, students, staff and, of course, our alumni and friends, we work from a position of strength. I’m convinced of that.

 

Michael J. Hogan
President