Above average heat and dry weather has caused an alarming number of wildfires across the State of Arizona this summer. Prior to the ravaging fires and blistery summer days, funding for higher education was among the topics being hotly debated throughout the State.

Last spring, Arizona's three State universities were informed that their budget appropriations would be cut for the 2002-2003 academic year. The University of Arizona has targeted a budget reduction of nearly $27.5 million for the current year. The result has caused The University of Arizona to look long and hard at our ability to serve students and the citizens of Arizona. Classes are being eliminated and faculty contracts are not being renewed.

The loss of revenue and resources has resulted in significant cutbacks. The Eller College has had to cut classes from the fall course schedule and further reduce administrative and support expenses. These are certainly challenging times for the College and the University and our response to the challenges we face will determine our future at the College and University level.

The Eller College ranks among the top management schools, with a number of its programs ranked in the top 10 by some of the popular rankings guides. Maintaining our competitive position has been extremely difficult in recent years. Reducing budgets further is a huge blow and will have significant consequences on our ability to compete at the highest level for faculty and students.

Recently The University of Arizona was identified as "Best Value" by one college guide service. While this may be good news for some, it is very disturbing to many of us. I am personally worried that if we continue at this pace it will just be a matter of time before we are actually worth what we charge. This distinction merely validates that we are currently offering a premium product at a discount rate. The fact remains that we are rapidly being disabled by an archaic State constitutional funding limit, a poorly devised State plan for funding education, and the current economic downturn. A long-term solution will require the collective energy and thought of our legislators, educators, parents, and our business community.

Because faculty provide the foundation for our ability to have quality academic programs, secure competitive research grants, and enroll the best students, it is critical to be able to recruit and retain the most talented teachers. Each year, retirements, tenure decisions, and competition force the Eller College to go on the market to fill vacated faculty positions. Based on available resources and the widening gap between the cost of top scholars and less experienced candidates, the hiring decision often becomes an issue of economics. Replacing people like longtime teachers Tom Moses, Lee Beach, Barbara Gutek, Don Wells, Jim LaSalle, and Barbara Sands is never easy -- factoring in our reduced ability to compete at current market rates makes it even more difficult.

To offset some of the current budget cuts the Eller College continues to rely on the dedication of our faculty and staff and the financial support of thousands of alumni and friends. Private contributions for faculty fellowships have provided critical relief and near-term support. The long-term solution will require significant endowment investments and a serious effort to change the way the State of Arizona funds its learning institutions.

How can you help? Get involved and stay involved. Promote and support funding reforms for higher education and champion a cause through your own annual financial contributions and endowment commitments. Pardon the clichÈ, but our future is now and we must improve our ability to control our own destiny. Please consider making an increased financial contribution now.

Thanks in advance for your help and I urge you to get back to campus often. I am proud of The University of Arizona and together we can assure a bright future for our great University. See you at Homecoming!