Chancellor Katehi: We ‘can turn challenge into opportunity’

9.4.09

Dear UC Davis Community Members:

This week – my third as chancellor – I attended my first meeting of the UC Council of Chancellors, a collegial group led by UC President Mark Yudof.

We spoke extensively about the concerns we all share regarding the salary reduction/furlough program that was initiated September 1 due to unprecedented cuts in state funding. Like you, we worry about the long-term consequences if such erosions in salary are not reversed.

At this week’s meeting, President Yudof expressed strong commitment to ending the furlough program next summer. He knows that competitive salaries are essential to preserving UC’s quality. I heard him passionately make UC’s case for increased funding when I recently accompanied him on visits to the State Capitol.

In the past three weeks, I have met and spoken with many of you about your hopes and aspirations for our university. I’ve enjoyed those discussions and look forward to many more in the weeks and months ahead. Indeed, I’ll be meeting later this month with the Council of Deans and Vice Chancellors for an all-day discussion aimed at helping to shape the future goals and attributes of our world-class university. But I want your bold and exciting ideas, too. I hope that you’ll share them with me as we work together to guide and transform UC Davis into our second century.

I am convinced that together we can turn challenge into opportunity through re-examination and creative re-invention, and through aggressively pursuing new sources of revenue.

At this time, we need unity more than ever before. I ask your understanding and your support.

Best,

Linda P.B. Katehi
Chancellor, UC Davis