<p>I dont think a closure of a library, which Harvard probably has several, is comparable to the closure of an academic problem;comparing apples or oragnes. And I know its just not Florida Public Schools but U.S. public school that have to cutback but I just think its sad and disappointing that universities would even consider the closure of programs…truly shows where they set their priorities. I dont believe a recession is an excuse to cut programs,regardless how bad it is.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.fsu.edu/announce/May_letter_to_university_community.pdf[/url]”>http://www.fsu.edu/announce/May_letter_to_university_community.pdf</a></p>
<p>Letter today to the FSU community about the budget.</p>
<p>so in the coming weeks FSU will probably release a statement stating what they plan on doing with the current budget dilemma. I know right now its hard to tell what exactly is going to happen but I have been a bit uneasy and on the edge. I will be going into FSU as a geology major and would like to know what you guys think is going to happen from the following scenarios:</p>
<ol>
<li>close the program completely…isnt it the only earth science program?</li>
<li>merge the program with another department</li>
<li>leave the department the way it is</li>
</ol>
<p>My guess-2, maybe 3. I suspect either UF or FSU might close their geology dept’s, but NOT BOTH, and I just feel that it will be FSU’s that stays put or merges.</p>
<p>I REALLLYYY hope your right sunnyflorida…those were my two top choices and decided to go with FSU and would hate to see that I go to FSU just to find they close it and leave it open at UF</p>
<p>Ron, 2. The geology dept. will probably eventually be consolidated with an all encompassing “earth sciences–environmental studies” dept. FSU will probably make this change independent of budget concerns. Geology covers a broad spectrum. I’d bet the traditional geology track you are seeking will continue to be available for you, and any dept changes will be transparent for you. Current worldwide interest in “newer” earth science concerns such as climate change and interest in anything “green” will contribute to geology dept. changes. Research in “climate change” could get FSU a lot of grant money too. Geology I discovered is much more than the study of rocks, and covers a lot of ground.</p>
<p>Also, FSU is apparently going to leave its Panama City campus alone and keep it going. And, UF is not going to cut back programs anywhere near as much as feared—things will probably be the same for FSU.</p>
<p>[University</a> of Florida President Bernie Machen said Friday that he’ll seek more than $42 million in cuts, but avoid widespread layoffs and the elimination of more than a handful of academic programs. | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesvil](<a href=“http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090516/articles/905169965]University”>http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090516/articles/905169965)</p>
<p>^I would agree with this. FSU has been preparing for budget reductions for some years. The consolidation, probably towards STEM as FSU still intends to join the AAU, will be ushered along by the budget environment. </p>
<p>The real cutbacks will likely be along the lines of restricting enrollment and increasing competition, as we have already seen in terms of freshmen quality. FSU went from a SAT average of 1218 to around 1265 in one year for Fall admissions. Also expect a decrease in the numbers of CC transfer students and an increase in quality of CC transfer applicants.</p>
<p>Emphasis areas such as medicine and [engineering[/url</a>] have seen little, if any, real reduction of budget. Note also that high-tech aspects like the [url=<a href=“http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/]Mag”>http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/]Mag</a> Lab](<a href=“http://www.eng.fsu.edu/]engineering[/url”>http://www.eng.fsu.edu/) and [advanced</a> materials research](<a href=“http://www.martech.fsu.edu/Overview/]advanced”>MARTECH Overview) are also likely unaffected.</p>
<p>any updates?</p>
<p>No, I have not seen anything yet in writing.</p>
<p>so other than the suspension of some programs any updates?</p>
<p>The College of Engineering was fully funded and then some. Good time to be in the CoE.</p>
<p>is it worth going to this school with all the cutbacks or attending a private college?</p>
<p>I’m enrolling at a OOS private U and trust me, private schools are not immune to cutbacks either. However, most top private U’s cutbacks should not be as severe as public unis.</p>
<p>Question: as of today, are there any future cutbacks which are supposed to be decided, or were the settlements a one time thing?</p>
<p>No school is immune from cutbacks - public or private.</p>
<p>Its not just state universities…</p>
<p>Harvard cuts
[Harvard</a> classrooms, labs feel pinch of budget cuts - The Boston Globe](<a href=“http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/06/17/harvard_classrooms_labs_feel_pinch_of_budget_cuts/]Harvard”>http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/06/17/harvard_classrooms_labs_feel_pinch_of_budget_cuts/)</p>
<p>Princeton cuts
[NAICU</a> - Princeton University seeks $170M in budget cuts](<a href=“http://www.naicu.edu/member_center/princeton-university-seeks-170m-in-budget-cuts]NAICU”>http://www.naicu.edu/member_center/princeton-university-seeks-170m-in-budget-cuts)</p>
<p>Duke
[Duke</a> University to cut $125 million from budget : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad’s most trusted source for local news and analysis](<a href=“http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/03/02/article/duke_university_to_cut_125_million_from_budget]Duke”>http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/03/02/article/duke_university_to_cut_125_million_from_budget)</p>
<p>and many more.</p>
<p>“Program Suspended: This program has been suspended due to budget limitations; no new students are being accepted. Students who have reached junior status by Fall Term 2009, have been fully admitted to the major, and are able to complete the program by Spring Term 2011 will be able to continue. Others must select a different major. The University is exploring the merger of Geology with other units into a new department tentatively titled “Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.” Earth and Atmospheric Sciences would seek to offer mew degree programs that may interest students not able to enter or continue in Geology. Students should, therefore, pay attention to announcements about proposed degree programs from this department.”</p>
<p>Does anyone have an idea on how long it will take to create the Earth and Atmospheric Science program? Very interested in the program but start as a junior this fall.</p>
<p>Call the departments you are interested in and ask them. I’m sure you’ll be fine.</p>