Now: Taking these questions in reverse order, first, with regard to administrative efficiency, we are reducing the number of administrative leadership positions, both centrally and in divisions and schools. This involves reducing the number of university senior leadership roles, including fewer officers and asking leaders to take on additional portfolios. We are reducing some staff positions in select administrative areas. We are also strongly encouraging streamlining of some elaborate divisional and academic structures that are burdensome to faculty time. Importantly, these changes to the divisions will have the effect of returning resources and faculty time to where they are best used: toward teaching and scholarship.
Second, new capital projects are critical for our future, but we have to be able to afford them. We need to create new spaces for the most demanding new areas of inquiry, while preserving and renewing our many beautiful historic buildings. We cannot do this by continuing to support large projects primarily with financing. We have established new guidelines requiring that we secure philanthropic or other external support prior to embarking on any new projects. Accordingly, we have substantially scaled down plans for the New Engineering and Science Building; we will build the essential underground specialized space for quantum information science and technology and a more limited above ground footprint than originally planned, but will still include essential teaching labs. Concurrently, much needed renewal of the historic buildings spanning the Central Quads is one the highest priorities for our present philanthropic fundraising efforts.
Third, we are acting to better serve students at all levels.