Once again, Gov. Beverly Perdue is asking state agencies to develop budget reduction scenarios. This time around the reduction will be five percent of the 2010-2011 budget, or $4,834,711 for North Carolina A&T State University.

According to Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr., the prospective scenarios will be guided by the university's fundamental principles: protect the classroom and core functions, protect essential student services, and continue to strive for university excellence through the efficient and effective use of all available resources.

"The university will take a holistic approach led by these guiding principles while all units take a reflective look at programs, operations and outputs," said Martin. "We will protect the academic classroom while assessing and identifying low-performing, less efficient programs. These programs may be absorbed into existing high-performing programs or be phased out."

In conjunction with the Office of the Provost, each school and college should review and make realistic adjustments to faculty class loads, lecture course capacity and semester course offerings. 

"We must be more strategic in course delivery in order to maximize efficiency without adding unnecessarily to student matriculation timelines."

Martin also said that current economic conditions prove why the university must continue its marketing efforts, seek new economic opportunities, and solicit alternative funding to minimize heavy reliance on state resources. And, the non-academic areas need to identify ways to eliminate administrative overlap. 

"We must work hard and smart and do more with less," said Martin. "Technology, Blackboard, Banner and other software programs can bring efficiency, reduce heavy reliance on manual transactions, and eliminate outdated, unproductive practices. 

Martin said the university is not looking for short-term solutions, but those that maximize its strong foundation. 

A&T's Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) will review and analyze all scenarios to recommend a final submission including all the variables. Each unit and department has received a reduction target and template to be used for its budget reduction. The completed template is due to the BAC by Monday, Feb. 15. 

The BAC, with assistance from the Chancellor's Cabinet, along with working teams in each division, will identify efficiencies to comply with the governor's request. 

The 12th Life and Physical Sciences Research Symposium – "Ethnic Variations in Cancer: Prevention, Diagnosis and the Search for a Cure" – will be held Friday, Feb. 26, on campus.

Sponsored by the Department of Biology, the objectives of the symposium are to provide a forum for networking and scientific exchange between faculty scientists and students with researchers on and off the campus, to profile the achievements of students and to inspire them to pursue biomedical research and scientific research careers, and to inform the community about health disparities issues.

The keynote speaker is Lisa A. Newman, professor of surgery and director, University of Michigan Breast Care Center. Dr. Newman will address the topic, "High-Risk Breast Cancer and African Ancestry." In addition, she will participate in a community forum on cancer as a health disparity.

Other prominent scientists and healthcare providers will present information on recent developments in cancer research, covering environmental influences, diagnosis and emerging approaches to treatment. Additional activities include poster presentations, a community forum and exhibits by community health institutions.

Representatives from diverse sectors of North Carolina's secondary schools, colleges, universities, scientific industries, government and religious institutions are invited to attend the symposium. More information can be found at http://cas.ncat.edu/registration or by calling (336) 285-2160.