Message from Susan Irwin Program Manager
School of Information Resources and Library Science
University of Arizona
I am elated to report that the School of Information Resources and Library Science (SIRLS) has been removed from the "proposed elimination list" As you know, SIRLS was one of 16 programs in the University proposed for elimination in the wake of major budget cuts last January. SIRLS prepared a comprehensive business plan that describes the means for SIRLS to achieve a measure of self-sufficiency. That plan, together with sustained and vocal support from alumni, employers, students, colleagues and organizations around the country led the President and Provost to remove SIRLS from the elimination list.
In a statement listing the strengths of the school they said: We are aware of the several strengths: demand for the program within the state, the region and the nation; the programs excellence in serving university diversity goals; and the intellectual synergies with information science and technology overall...we have reached the conclusion that SIRLS should not be eliminated, and that it shouldretain its academic home in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences."
This could not have happened without the support of the Arizona State Library (GladysAnn Wells), the efforts of Carla Stoffle, Dean of the Libraries and Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, and a host of supporters who wrote letters to President Likins, Provost Davis, the Legislature and the Board of Regents.
As we knew they would, supporters quickly organized by starting a fund raising campaign, and students were extremely visible and vocal at Open Forums on campus! Their professionalism in all of this makes us proud.
A loyal group of SAVE SIRLS supporters met weekly to assess the situation and plan the gala J.A. Jance Benefit Dinner for this Saturday evening. The debt we owe this group is immeasureable! We have sold 16 tables, a wonderful accomplishment. If you want to come and help us celebrate at the Double Tree Reid Park (445 S. Alvernon Way), or make a donation, tickets are $100.00 a plate, with all proceeds going to SIRLS scholarships. Please contact Ginger Cullen (cullen@u.arizona.edu) or Lisa Bunker (lwbaz@mindspring.com) immediately to reserve a place.
Brooke Sheldon
Director
Plan changes released today
By Jeff Sklar
Arizona Daily Wildcat Thursday April 10, 2003
Some of the programs targeted under President Pete Likins’ plan to narrow UA’s mission could learn today that they have been spared.
Likins and Provost George Davis plan to release today final recommendations on whether to go forward with most of about 40 plans to cut, merge and reorganize university programs, UA spokeswoman Sharon Kha said yesterday.
Earlier this week, Davis would not discuss specifics of those recommendations, but he and Likins have said they might protect some areas they targeted when they released initial plans in January under Focused Excellence, the president’s plan for narrowing the university’s mission to deal with years of dwindling state funding.
For people involved in the programs, which range from information resources and library sciences to planning, today’s announcement will mark the end of a two-month wait that many of them have spent arguing to save their programs.
In the School of Information Resources and Library Sciences, the attitude is one of optimism. After arguing on behalf of the program, the only of its kind in the Rocky Mountain region, the school’s director likes her chances of hearing good news today.
“My expectations are very high,” said SIRLS director Brook Sheldon. “I think SIRLS is going to get good news. It’s been a long spring but I think SIRLS is going to come out all right.”
The school is hosting a fund-raising dinner on Saturday, and Sheldon said she hopes that event will take on a joyous tone.
“I hope it’ll be a celebratory dinner,” she said.
Optimism seemed to be the watchword yesterday in the affected areas, with several department heads saying they were hoping for the best.
“We’re waiting for word,” said Barbara Becker, who heads the School of Planning. “I think that we gave some pretty good alternatives for our program, and that it is a nationally recognized program. Our hope is that they understand the value of it.”
The potential closure of planning and landscape architecture has drawn fire from community members, who say those two schools serve important needs both locally and nationally.
Richard Eribes, dean of the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, submitted proposals last month for implementing fees for students college-wide to help keep planning and the School of Landscape Architecture alive.
Once Likins and Davis release their recommendations tomorrow, any move that could displace faculty members will undergo an extensive review process. Faculty in affected departments will be allowed to weigh in, and unless they all agree to a specific change, so will a series of review committees.
Though review committees can only make recommendations, one department head said he thinks those groups could become allies in the fight to protect targeted programs.
“Our hope is that our proposal eventually goes through the committee process,” said Steven Mullen, head of the atmospheric sciences department, which is targeted for elimination. “I have confidence in my peer faculty members and students and others who would reside on these committees that they would do a very conscientious job.”
Ultimately, the Arizona Board of Regents must approve any proposed program change. Davis said Monday that he expects the board to consider at least some of the proposals at its June meetings. Others will wait until next year.
Keren G. Raz contributed to this report.
