The Cavalier Daily
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Constructive solutions

A consortium of professors published an open letter yesterday in this paper, calling for a convening of the Assembly of Profes- sors on Monday. The professors raise an important point about answers the administration owes the University community.

As the College's funding is steadily cut, faculty salaries capped andprofessors flee, the academic system at the University is under extreme stress. Members of the University community want to know what has been done to alleviate the pressure on the academic departments.

Although Capital Campaign contributions are largely determined by the donor, the University and the professors who are its backbone have the right to know what emphasis on raising money for the College University administrators portray to donors. Is it an afterthought or are benefactors simply reluctant to direct their money to academics? And if the latter, what plans are in place to make donors realize that giving to the College is important?

There's frustration all around because the University's rankings are declining, its resources depleting faster still. Justifiably or not, some people have begun to get the feeling they're on a sinking ship.

As much as we'd all like to deny that the College is in trouble, the situation is beginning to mirror the familiar and unpalatable Wilder cuts of a decade ago.

The faculty should be commended for taking action. Now the administration must return answers, after paying careful attention to the Assembly's conclusions on Monday.

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