mentioned in last week’s webinar<\/a> we are operating in a complex and dynamic environment\u2014and as a complex and dynamic organization, we must continually adjust to changes in programs, policies, funding sources, and enrollment. Our workforce naturally ebbs and flows from year to year, and that variability reflects the nature of our mission and operations.<\/p>\nWe are taking a careful, focused approach as we plan for the years ahead. This is not a one-size-fits-all situation. We are evaluating normal attrition and considering how job structures might evolve, while also creating standardized processes for how positions are proposed, approved, and managed. While changes in staffing and operations are happening, our priority remains minimizing the impact on our people and ensuring the University continues to excel in its core missions.<\/p>\n
Faculty Hiring:<\/strong> We are sharply limiting faculty hiring. However, thanks to external support from foundations and philanthropic gifts, we can continue targeted searches in a few strategic areas. These externally funded hires will be the focus of our search efforts in the year ahead. The limitations in hiring do not include Medical Center clinical care operations, clinical faculty, or clinical staff.<\/p>\nPhD Program Enrollments:<\/strong> The 人妻少妇专区 Office of Graduate Education and Post-Doctoral Affairs (UGEPA) will work closely with PhD programs to evaluate the number of PhD admissions for Fall 2026. This is in response to a rapidly changing landscape that we first experienced last spring with other institutions deferring or rescinding admissions due to concerns about longer term research funding and graduate placement. To ensure financial sustainability of our doctoral programs in the face of a reduced federal F&A rate, a portion of PhD tuition will be budgeted on grant submissions as well as internal accounts for the next fiscal year, FY27.\u00a0 Specific details will be provided to faculty later this week.<\/p>\nCoordinated Marketing and Structural Realignment: <\/strong>We are reorganizing our prospective student marketing functions and making additional structural changes to reduce duplication and improve efficiency. The marketing and communications staff that were once part of the Office of Admissions have been integrated into the University\u2019s central Marketing and Communications team, ensuring that our student recruitment efforts are aligned with the many new initiatives that are being launched to build our global reputation.<\/p>\nEnrollment Management Redesign:<\/strong> We are in the process of rethinking our admissions and enrollment management structures to better meet today\u2019s competitive landscape. Among the potential changes is a transition toward a more coordinated masters graduate program enrollment management model that will align with new admissions and recruitment activities. Planning for this transition is underway, with a phased approach designed to ensure continuity, enhance coordination, and preserve discipline-specific expertise supported by technology integration to improve effectiveness of marketing and recruitment across master\u2019s programs. The deans will be working closely with the Offices of Academic Excellence and University Student Life to grow high-impact, mission-aligned master\u2019s programs that respond to market needs. More details will follow in the coming weeks.<\/p>\nCapital Projects:<\/strong> We are focusing our capital investments on the highest priority building and renovation needs across the University. Our five-year Capital Outlook provides a consolidated view of current projects underway, future strategic initiatives, and ongoing investments in deferred maintenance, IT infrastructure, and equipment. This comprehensive planning helps us prioritize projects, align resources with institutional goals, and forecast long-term funding needs related to margins, philanthropy, and debt management.<\/p>\nPhilanthropic Activities:<\/strong> The University achieved a new fundraising milestone in FY25, securing $202.5 million in new gift commitments\u2014our first time surpassing the $200 million mark. This marks the third consecutive year of record-breaking fundraising during the quiet phase of our campaign and provides strong momentum as we prepare to publicly launch For Ever Better: The Campaign for the 人妻少妇专区. This success reflects the deep commitment of our donors and the outstanding work of our Advancement team.<\/p>\nResearch Activities:<\/strong> Research is a core pillar of the University\u2019s identity, and recent disruptions in federal funding present real challenges to sustaining and expanding our areas of strength. To date, we\u2019ve seen just over 30 federal grants terminated, and very recently grants have been successfully reinstated\u2014resulting in a current net loss of approximately $9 million from our nearly $500 million annual research portfolio. We remain committed\u00a0to pursuing research excellence. Last month, President Mangelsdorf dedicated $8.5 million to establish new transdisciplinary research centers designed to unite faculty across disciplines to tackle complex, real-world challenges. These efforts enhance our competitiveness for external funding and create compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment that aligns with emerging national research priorities.<\/p>\nInternational Scholars:<\/strong> The federal policy environment continues to create uncertainty for international students and scholars. Like many institutions, we are experiencing a decline in international enrollment, driven by visa delays, shifting regulations, global economic pressures, and increased competition abroad.<\/p>\nWe remain strongly committed to our international community. Our global engagement team is actively supporting students and faculty through the visa process, addressing housing needs, and advocating for policies that protect academic mobility. Global engagement is critical to our mission and a strategic priority for advancing excellence and diversity.<\/p>\n
Recruitment and Retention:<\/strong> Student enrollment is a shared institutional priority, and multiple teams are advancing the goals of Boundless Possibility<\/em> for exceptional education. We are increasing scholarship support, improving advising, housing, and student life, and optimizing year-round learning and cocurricular opportunities.<\/p>\nAdditional efforts include expanding undergraduate recruitment in key domestic markets, enhancing support for transfer and international students, and promoting Rochester as a top residential destination. A targeted national campaign is underway to strengthen our reputation at every stage of the enrollment journey.\u00a0To aid in these efforts, faculty participation in admitted student events, transfer articulation efforts, and other yield-building activities is more important than ever.<\/p>\n
Thank you for your partnership and your enduring commitment to our students and the ongoing mission of the 人妻少妇专区. These are challenging times, but with collective effort, focus, and dedication to making our world ever better, we will emerge as an even stronger institution built on academic excellence and student success.<\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Nicole S. Sampson \nProvost and Chief Academic Officer \nUniversity Professor of Chemistry<\/p>\n
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人妻少妇专区 faculty and staff: These are challenging and uncertain times for all of us\u2014at the 人妻少妇专区 and across higher education. To start, I want to acknowledge…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[182,172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-announcements","category-provosts-messages"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Academic Budget and Planning Update\u00a0 - Office of the Provost<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n