Earnest -- Alumni Magazine for CES at Clemson

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Dean Thomas M. Keinath
Thomas M. Keinath
Dean of the College of the Engineering and Science

Dollars and sense

It is ironic that we are celebrating the completion of one of the most successful capital campaigns in the history of Clemson University, and at the same time, are facing the potential of the largest funding cuts in the history of Clemson University.

First let me say that I am very grateful to the alumni of the College of Engineering and Science for the part they played in making The Clemson Commitment Campaign such a success.

Our portion of the $260 million goal was $76 million and we exceeded that by $16 million, which is truly remarkable! This kind of support speaks volumes about how our alumni feel about their alma mater and the college in particular.

As Earnest goes to press, we still do not have a firm picture of what the legislature's final budget will mean for Clemson. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2001-2002 initially included a 15 percent budget cut for all state agencies except K-12. For Clemson University, this translates into a loss of more than $25 million in state funding -- $17 million from academic and operating budgets and more than $8 million from public service activities. The $17 million budget cut to academics is the equivalent of a 26 percent tuition increase. The $8 million budget cut to public service activities is the equivalent of closing the state's Cooperative Extension Service offices in half of South Carolina's counties.

Consider for a moment the impact of these potential reductions upon the College of Engineering and Science. As Dean, I may have to face discontinuing or curtailing college programs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections through 2008, most job growth will be in the professional specialty jobs (5.3 million new jobs) and service work (3.9 million), two occupation areas on opposite ends of the education and income spectrum. Which do we want for South Carolina?

The support of CoES alumni has been critical to successful past endeavors, and it is even more critical, now, to insure a successful future. If you'd like to know the latest legislative action concerning higher education funding in South Carolina, please visit the following website:
http://www.clemson.edu/budgetcuts/.

Thank you for your support.

Earnest is published by the College of Engineering and Science at Clemson University for the alumni and friends of the College. Subscriptions are free upon request.

Send any comments/questions to: Ron Grant (email: ron.grant@ces.clemson.edu)
College Relations/Marketing Director, Clemson University, College of Engineering and Science
21 Riggs Hall · Box 340901, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0901 -- 864/656-5711


		Thomas M. Keinath Dean of the College of the Engineering and Science	Dollars and sense
			It is ironic that we are celebrating the completion of one of the most successful capital campaigns in the history of Clemson University, and at the same time, are facing the potential of the largest funding cuts in the history of Clemson University. First let me say that I am very grateful to the alumni of the College of Engineering and Science for the part they played in making The Clemson Commitment Campaign such a success.
		Our portion of the $260 million goal was $76 million and we exceeded that by $16 million, which is truly remarkable! This kind of support speaks volumes about how our alumni feel about their alma mater and the college in particular. As Earnest goes to press, we still do not have a firm picture of what the legislature's final budget will mean for Clemson. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2001-2002 initially included a 15 percent budget cut for all state agencies except K-12. For Clemson University, this translates into a loss of more than $25 million in state funding -- $17 million from academic and operating budgets and more than $8 million from public service activities. The $17 million budget cut to academics is the equivalent of a 26 percent tuition increase. The $8 million budget cut to public service activities is the equivalent of closing the state's Cooperative Extension Service offices in half of South Carolina's counties. Consider for a moment the impact of these potential reductions upon the College of Engineering and Science. As Dean, I may have to face discontinuing or curtailing college programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections through 2008, most job growth will be in the professional specialty jobs (5.3 million new jobs) and service work (3.9 million), two occupation areas on opposite ends of the education and income spectrum. Which do we want for South Carolina? The support of CoES alumni has been critical to successful past endeavors, and it is even more critical, now, to insure a successful future. If you'd like to know the latest legislative action concerning higher education funding in South Carolina, please visit the following website: http://www.clemson.edu/budgetcuts/. Thank you for your support.