>Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 21:19:57 -0700 >From: Brooke Sheldon <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > >Subject: Great News from Arizona! > >Greetings Colleagues! >I am elated to report that the School of Information Resources, University >of Arizona hasbeen removed from the "proposed elimination list" As you >know, SIRLS was one of 16 programs in the University proposed for >elimination in the wake of major budget cuts last January. SIRLS prepared >a comprehensive business plan that describes the means for SIRLS to >achieve a measure of self-sufficiency. That plan, together with sustained >and vocal support from alumni, employers, students, colleagues and >organizations around the country led the President and Provost to issue >the following statement:"The Masters Program is the largest in the >College, and one of the largest in the University. It is the only >accredited Library and Information Science program in Arizona and in >eleven other mountain states. The School has a long history of educating >Hispanic and Native American Librarians and its Knowledge River program >has been cited nationally as a model for the recruitment and education ! >of minorities in the information professions (Library Journal, October, >2002. The 18% minority enrollments at SIRLS far exceed average U of A >graduate department minority enrollments. >Based on the recent Academic and Accreditation Reviews, we knew this about >the program. We are aware of the several strengths: demand for the >program within the state, the region and the nation; the programs >excellence in serving university diversity goals; and the intellectual >synergies with information science and technology overall...we have >reached the conclusion that SIRLS should not be eliminated, and that it >should retain its academic home in the College of Behavioral and Social >Sciences." > >While this has not exactly been the most fun semester for faculty, staff, >students and SIRLS (in fact I would rate it as the worst of my career), >some very productive things for SIRLS are emerging from this >experience. Be on the lookout for further announcements!...and finally, >heartfelt thanks to all of you who wrote letters to President Likens, >Provost Davis, Arizona legislators and the Board of Regents. Every single >one helped! Brooke Sheldon __________________________________________________________________ Mail submissions to [log in to unmask] For information about joining ARLIS/NA see: http://www.arlisna.org//membership.html Send administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc) to [log in to unmask] ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html Questions may be addressed to list owner (Kerri Scannell) at: [log in to unmask]