My mind remains where it was last week – wrestling with the reality that central funding does not facilitate growth and reliance on it becomes a shrinking proposition. Unfortunately the academic footprint numbers are a stark reminder of this. Take a look.
Now it's key to remember that these numbers were collected in July, following ‘retirement season' and in advance of when new CE Specialists and AES faculty start their positions (August). AES numbers also dropped by 9 persons and 5 FTE.
I hesitated to even show these numbers because they aren't what any of us want to see and I would expect them to go up next quarter, but there's no point in hiding from the reality. Clearly, we must think more creatively about funding positions and more creatively about how we reach more people through the work we are already doing (remote delivery of programming, stronger on-demand online presence, etc.). Perhaps the increase in the ‘Other' category, in fact, reflects different thinking about how to accomplish our work. This might be worth exploring a bit more. No doubt, though a small number, this category represents a mighty force of talent and expertise among us.
There is good news, though, and that is that Michael Jones starts October 1st as a Forestry Advisor, based in Ukiah, with programmatic responsibilities in Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma Counties. That same day, Daniel Sanchez begins as a CE Specialist in energy technology, innovation and climate policy at UC Berkeley. So that should certainly help the numbers next time I share an academic footprint update. Be sure to take some time to welcome our new colleagues.
I hope fall is off to a great start for everyone. I'm headed to where it certainly feels a bit more like fall – Cleveland. But perhaps when I return to CA late Tuesday night it will be a bit cooler, though I am landing in ONT and there seems to be a growing fire not far away. At least the Mendocino fire is under control. Hopefully others don't pop up and those burning are on the downside. We don't want a repeat of October 2017.