Dear campus colleagues: We have long recognized that the quality and the commitment of UC Davis staff employees have played a major role in the development of the Davis campus into one of the nation's premier research universities. The work of the faculty, students and the administration is, in fact, very dependent upon this staff professionalism and competence. We must do what we can to maintain that excellence that has served the campus so well for so many years, despite budget reduction experiences of the 1990s that have challenged our resiliency and creativity in the years since. The University of California is facing yet another challenge as it prepares for the enrollment growth described as Tidal Wave II. To best enable the Davis campus to accommodate its fair share of these new enrollments, we initiated a three year major academic planning process. Nearly complete, these new academic plans will set our campus direction, providing the guidance needed to make strategic faculty position allocation and enrollment planning decisions. As these plans are finalized, it is absolutely essential that our planning effort address the staff workload and compensation challenges associated with the expected campus growth. We pledge our commitment to achieve a balance in the allocation of resources, recognizing the fundamental importance of a quality staff to the success of the academic mission. In this regard, we will ask the deans early in the fall quarter to develop an administrative support plan that supplements and complements their academic plans. These plans will address the staff support and student service needs that will accompany enrollment growth and the new academic initiatives. In preparation the deans are, at our request, taking a fresh look at staff needs as they examine their budget priorities for the next fiscal year. Similarly, the vice chancellors and vice provosts will be asked to create tactical plans for their respective organizations that look ahead three to five years. The principal focus of these plans will be to identify the resources needed to support the campus mission as enrollments grow and new academic initiatives are pursued. We have asked for and received help in this effort from President Atkinson and the regents. The University of California has petitioned the state to give special attention to staff compensation. Given the state budget surplus, there is some chance that a first increment in staff compensation may be provided a year earlier than expected. To accomplish this, the governor's May 15 revision of the state budget boosts the planned 2000-2001 staff compensation increase from 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent. We cannot be certain about the outcome until the Legislature and the governor complete the state budget process, but we are heartened by the attention now being given to a first step toward meeting this important need. Finally, we urge all members of our campus community to recognize the contributions of staff employees and to show appreciation for staff service whenever the opportunity presents itself. Money is important, but there are other opportunities, as well, to recognize good work. We can achieve the brightest of futures for UC Davis, but only if we do it together, walking in partnership with the staff. Sincerely, Larry Vanderhoef, Chancellor Robert Grey, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor