Cornell Budget Cuts Pose Challenges for Research

Although Cornell’s extensive review of its budget includes cuts in all academic colleges, the leaders of Cornell’s research programs feel confident that the research programs will continue to expand, and in the long-run, maintain Cornell’s position as one of the top research institutions in the world.
In the last decade, Cornell has worked to improve its research programs. Today, the University sponsors over 100 interdisciplinary institutes located in Ithaca, New York State, and abroad. However, with the University’s proposed budget cuts, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, which runs most of these institutes and programs, will be tested to maintain the high quality of research at Cornell.
Robert Buhrman, vice provost for research, oversees many of these initiatives along with senior members of his office.
“The principal investigators run their projects independently,” Buhrman said.
“But, the internal support my office provides may be impacted by the cuts.”
According to Buhrman, 80 percent of the funding for research at Cornell comes from external funds, often from the federal government. New funds will temporarily increase as a result of Congress’ stimulus package, approved by President Obama on Feb. 17. Inside Higher Ed reports that the new stimulus bill will allocate approximately $16 billion over the next two years to a variety of federal agencies that fund higher education research.
There will be a temporary increase in the external funds. We will benefit from this,” Buhrman added.
However, there is also a need for adequate support staff and faculty to maintain a strong research program.  As with other programs on campus, there is talk of some of these University employees being laid off.
Stephen Kresovich, vice provost for life sciences, hopes that this will not happen in Cornell’s research institutes.
“We’ve hired 80-90 new faculty members over the last decade. I’m guardedly optimistic that the budget cuts won’t derail any of our initiatives,” Kresovich said.
Kresovich is most concerned that important programs associated with research may get cut.
“It is very important to me that both undergraduates and graduates alike have the opportunity to get laboratory experience. We must be vigilant to preserve this initiative,” Kresovich added.
Both Kresovich and Buhrman maintained that the budget cuts present new challenges for research at Cornell. Fortunately, the University has done well thus far in its plans to uphold the high level of research. Lora Ellenson, a principal investigator at Weill Medical College, claims that she has felt no effects of the budget cuts thus far.
Other institutions of higher education have not been as fortunate. Chicagobusiness.com reported on Feb. 25 that Henry Bienen, president of Northwestern University, announced plans to “make sacrifices” in response to the university’s 25-percent loss in endowment. The sacrifices planned may include research positions funded by grants and other external sources, according to a Northwestern spokesperson.
The Daily Bruin, the newspaper for the University of California-Los Angeles, reported on Feb. 24 that budget cuts will “negatively impact student opportunity, innovation, health care and medical research.”
Some of Cornell’s peer institution do, however, appear to be safe in terms of research funding. The New Haven Register reported that Yale’s $17 billion endowment and use of stimulus funds will serve as funds for research in the future.
Overall, Cornell appears to be developing a plan to protect the future of its research.
“We plan to continue to build a bridge of research between the Ithaca and New York City campuses. This will provide educational opportunities for all of our students,” Kresovich said. “Research is our highest priority.”
Both Kresovich and Buhrman maintained that the budget cuts present new challenges for research at Cornell. Fortunately, the University has done well thus far in its plans to uphold the high level of research, they said. Lora Ellenson, a principal investigator at Weill Medical College, claims that she has felt no effects of the budget cuts thus far.
Other institutions of higher education have not been as fortunate. Chicagobusiness.com reported on Feb. 25 that Henry Bienen, president of Northwestern University, announced plans to “make sacrifices” in response to the university’s 25-percent loss in endowment. The sacrifices planned may include research positions funded by grants and other external sources, according to a Northwestern spokesperson.
The Daily Bruin, the newspaper for the University of California-Los Angeles, reported on Feb. 24 that budget cuts will “negatively impact student opportunity, innovation, health care and medical research.”
Some of Cornell’s peer institution do, however, appear to be safe in terms of research funding. The New Haven Register reported that Yale’s $17 billion endowment and use of stimulus funds will serve as funds for research in the future.
Overall, Cornell appears to be developing a plan to protect the future of its research.
“We plan to continue to build a bridge of research between the Ithaca and New York City campuses. This will provide educational opportunities for all of our students,” Kresovich said. “Research is our highest priority.”