To the Campus Community:

t the beginning of this new semester I would like to bring everyone up to date on some of the events of the past five weeks or so.

     As you know, in reaction to the state's budget problems, the University increased spring semester fees by $495. Of the $8 million these fees brought in, $3 million went to increase financial aid. The rest went to maintain the academic quality of the University. Students should see little, if any, dislocation in courses and programs during the upcoming semester.

     In spite of the increase in fees, other steps had to be taken to meet a $15 million shortfall.

     On January 18, with great regret, layoff notices were given to 95 employees across campus. Another 100 positions have been left unfilled. Among the programs to be closed are child care, the non-police security force, the foreign language resource center, and our regional fund-raising program. Each layoff was painful, yet working with the deputy chancellor and vice chancellors, with support from President William Bulger and the Board of Trustees, I made the decision to close programs in order to preserve the central mission of the University - teaching, research, and outreach.

     The entire child care unit will remain open until the end of the semester, and the flex-care program within the child care unit will remain open until 2004. We will be meeting with parents and staff to help as much as possible in this time of transition.

     While the staff in the non-police security force has been laid off, we are committed to maintaining adequate, proper, and safe transportation on campus. Even though you may hear that the Escort Service and library shuttle no longer will be available, other transportation will be provided. Details will be announced shortly. I also want to point out that over the last few years the campus has enhanced security in a number of ways. We now have card access to the residence halls; more emergency telephones; and more and better lighting across campus. Although we will be doing things differently, we do not believe the changes will compromise campus safety.

     We are also doing everything possible to help our laid-off employees. In fact, knowing that layoffs would be necessary, we deliberately went slowly in refilling vacant positions so that at least some employees who were laid off would be able to transfer into another job. Others are eligible to participate in the state's early retirement incentive program. For those who do not have alternatives, we are offering career counseling, job search help, workshops, and personal advice. It was difficult and extremely painful to lay off many valuable employees who have contributed immensely to building this University. Even though change is being forced upon us, the University is and will remain grateful for their contributions.

     Also, the campus is making plans to make more forcefully than ever its case with the taxpayers of Massachusetts that an investment in UMass should be a priority. One project we are working on, in conjunction with the Alumni Association, is a UMass Day at selected libraries across the Commonwealth. We are also working to educate volunteers, including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and others, on communicating the University's story to the Legislature.

     Budget problems notwithstanding, over the past month or so construction of the Isenberg School of Management facility continued apace. I can see the construction site from my office window, and every day the building changes and brings us closer to completion. Work has also begun on the site for the second part of the computer science and engineering complex. I like the symbolism of these two projects. They tell me that the University will keep building for the future, even in these difficult financial times.

     It is possible these budget cuts will force us to do more of what we've been talking about for years, and to do it more quickly, that is, becoming more efficient, more collaborative, and stronger. I expect that the entire community will work together toward these ends. Whatever we do, it must be in keeping with the tradition of academic excellence UMass Amherst has always made a priority.

Marcellette G. Williams