Faculty of Arts and Sciences Planning

General Questions

When do the changes in service and programs listed on the planning website become effective?

The list of changes includes a wide variety of measures. Some are already in place, while others will be implemented in the summer or fall of 2009. For those yet to be implemented, timing is described. More detailed information is available from the contact person indicated on the planning site after each entry.

Are these changes permanent?

These changes are permanent and are part of structural, not one-time, changes to the budget.

Is this announcement in service changes all we will see, or can we anticipate even more reductions later?

The changes announced through May 11, 2009 only get the FAS 1/3 of the way to its budget reduction goal. The planning website is envisioned to be a place to share the latest information on our budget planning. As further changes are made as part of our planning process, they will be added to the site.

Athletics

What recreation options will be available this summer to those who normally use the MAC?

Hemenway Gymnasium and the Murr Fitness Center will be open throughout the summer months for indoor recreation and fitness opportunities. Blodgett Pool provides an Olympic-sized pool for swimming. The many and varied outdoor facilities remain open during the summer, including Harvard Stadium, the outdoor track and field complex, and our tennis facilities.

Will other campus recreation facilities expand their hours while the MAC is closed?

The Murr Fitness Center, which was not open last summer, will be open this summer. It provides an attractive option for community members not located near Hemenway Gymnasium.

Why have the men's junior varsity teams in hockey, basketball, and baseball been moved to club status?

Junior varsity programs across the country have diminished greatly over the past two decades and, as a result, our own teams have been forced to play against secondary schools and other local clubs in order to maintain a full competitive schedule. By moving to club status, our programs will have more control and should find it easier to facilitate contest scheduling with a broader base of programs in the future.

Will teams participate in fewer competitions as a result of the reduced travel budget?

The purpose of a reduced travel budget for non-Ivy League road games is not to reduce the number of competitions. The focus of our travel budget will be to schedule more contests against the many local universities instead of traveling greater distances in order to play. As a result, our budget will be aided by having fewer overnight trips and our student-athletes will have more time on campus.

Are there plans to cut any varsity sports teams, as some other institutions have done?

The Department of Athletics focused its cost-saving measures in administrative support areas and facility operations in an effort to minimize the direct impact on students and the programs available to them. There are no plans to cut the number of varsity programs.

How will the "bubble" season be shortened and who does that affect?

Many students will not feel an impact with the reduced "bubble" season. Due to the newly-implemented academic calendar for 2009-2010, there is less of a rush to open the bubble following our football season as final exams and winter break have been moved up. Our spring teams will still be able to adequately prepare for their seasons upon returning from winter recess.

Libraries

What will happen to the space now occupied by the Quad Library?

The College is engaging students in a conversation for how best to repurpose the space to provide much needed study and social space for students. For more information, see link to 5/5/09 news release.

What will take the place of the Widener Library Cafe?

While staffed food services will be discontinued, plans are underway to expand the vending selections, and the cafe will continue to have microwave ovens, hot water, the ice/water machine, and the filtered water cooler available.

How many journals will be affected by the reduction in print subscriptions?

Approximately 850.

How were these journals chosen?

The Library canceled print copies of journals where online subscriptions are available.

How will Scan and Deliver result in savings?

Scan and Deliver is a new service that increases library users' access to Harvard collections for study and research and saves them time. It speaks to the Dean's call for FAS units to continue to find efficient, innovative ways to meet the needs of our constituents even in times of budgetary constraint.

Will library hours change?

No library hours have been changed, but HCL continues to explore budget reduction options.

Services

Why has breakfast been targeted for reductions?

Breakfast offers the greatest opportunity for cost savings with the least impact on the House and student experience. On any given weekday, only 30 percent of students eat breakfast in a dining hall; of those, only a small fraction select foods from the grill. For most, breakfast is a grab-and-go experience. The new menu was crafted to maintain good nutrition and provide a range of options, which include proteins, fruits, baked goods, hot cereal and beverages. The breakfast remains hearty with many options, but achieves efficiencies in both food waste and production.

Will any campus dining centers continue to offer grilled breakfast foods on weekdays?

Yes. Annenberg Hall will be open to all undergraduates, and will offer the made-to-order grill and grill-based menu of items such as eggs, breakfast meats, home fries, and pancakes, as well as those items on the House menu every day. On weekends, these items will also be available in the Houses.

Will breakfast hours change in the House dining centers?

At this point, there is no anticipated change in hours.

Why is Brain Break being expanded at a time of budget cuts?

As we refocus budgets to both look for efficiencies and support the needs of our students, we know that many students continue to lead busy lives well into the night, and have expressed a need for greater late-night dining options. As such, an enhancement to Brain Break is seen as a vital investment in supporting student and House life, a decision re-affirmed by the recent report on House Renewal.

Campus Shuttle

What can I do if I find myself stranded late at night without shuttle service?

Passenger Transport Services will maintain existing daytime and evening van services, which operates seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Students will also continue to have the option of calling the Harvard University Campus Escort Program (HUCEP) at 617-384-8237 from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday to Wednesday nights, and 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday to Saturday nights.

Office of Career Services

Why did the OCS enact a one-month suspension of some services?

The suspension of services is one way OCS has identified to reduce salary costs. Some staff will work a reduced schedule to perform essential functions, while others will be away on a combination of paid (i.e. vacation time) and/or unpaid leave. The goal is to preserve positions through the conservation of salary dollars. For all students and alumni, the OCS web site, with its many resources, including the Crimson Careers job and internship database, will be updated regularly throughout the month.