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Dean's Message

This year has proved to be a challenging one as Connecticut along with many other states continues to deal with a slow economic recovery and budget shortfalls. UConn experienced a reduction in its state-appropriated budget of 10 percent while at the same time keeping tuition increases to a minimum. While much of the lost revenue was absorbed in non-academic areas of the University and cost-saving measures, the colleges and schools were asked to reduce base budgets by 1.5 percent for FY12 fiscal year and 3 percent for the following year, along with one time reductions to available funds.

While painful, much of this reduction will be handled from position vacancies and anticipated departures over the two-year period. While the budget uncertainty proved a distraction, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources continues to grow. A number of new faculty members have joined the College. We introduce them to you in this issue. Likewise, we have remarkable students. In this issue we have featured our recipient of a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. Another story addresses our exceptionally high admissions rate to veterinary school this year. Based on admitted students to UConn, the College will likely experience another year of double digit enrollment growth. This would continue four years of significant growth in the College to a new high. Although it will be challenging to meet that growth, it does tell me that our programs are relevant to today’s students and in high demand.

In July, Associate Dean for Extension, Roger Adams retired after 34 years of service to UConn and Cooperative Extension. He is continuing in his role on a part-time basis until a search for a new associate dean is completed.

I recently visited our New London County 4-H camp during the week devoted to children of military families with deployed parents. We were thrilled that 4-H was able to offer this camping experience to so many kids through our Operation Military Kids Program. It is my hope that we can develop the necessary resources so that all of our camps can participate.


Sincerely,
Gregory J. Weidemann
Dean and Director