Fellow Bears,
Today, March 6, is National Employee Appreciation Day. It is also the kickoff of UNC’s Appreciation Week. I would like to start by thanking each member of our faculty and staff for your dedication to UNC and our students. I invite you to participate in Appreciation Week by expressing your gratitude for members of our campus community. Learn more about how to do that by visiting the Appreciation Week website.
I would also like to provide you with an update on budget and restructuring work currently underway across campus. Over the last few weeks, our deans and unit leaders have continued to work with faculty and staff to finalize structures for Administrative Service Centers (ASCs). Job descriptions for ASC positions have also been developed with input from deans, faculty, and staff. Additionally, draft job descriptions for student support positions have been written based on input from these same members of our community. Vice presidents and deans have finalized the April application process for these important roles. Updated information about restructuring work is available at www.unco.edu/reorganization.
I also want to provide you with an update on our enrollment. On Tuesday, I reviewed March enrollment deposit numbers with the cabinet. We are down approximately one hundred enrollment deposits from this same time last year. Other Colorado higher education institutions have also acknowledged this trend. March deposits are an early indicator, suggesting a decline in our fall freshman class. While deposits are still coming in, we are continuing to recruit and engage students who have yet to confirm. In addition to focusing on recruitment, we must all continue to be vigilant in our efforts to support current students through the implementation of the Strategic Enrollment and Student Success plan in order to improve our retention and graduation rates.
We are continuing our work in response to evolving budget realities on a number of fronts. At the State level, our legislative advocacy for additional funding seems to be paying off. I am optimistic that we will receive more funding than originally proposed by the Governor when the state budget is finalized later this spring. Additionally, with interest rates at historic lows, we are working to refinance our debt and expect to see significant annual savings as a result. As updates regarding our progress are available, I will continue to share them with you. Based on what we know today, even with our dynamic budget reality, we do not plan to lay off more than sixty-five staff members this spring.
I have no doubt that working together, we will position UNC for sustained success in the years to come. Your candid feedback continues to be very helpful. I hope that you keep sharing it with me. Feel free to call, email, or stop me when you see me on campus.
Thank you.
Rowing, Not Drifting,
Andy Feinstein
President
