FAS deficit, diminished

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences faces a smaller, but still multimillion-dollar, deficit.

Dean Michael D. Smith reported on May 11, at the last regular Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) meeting of the academic year, that the faculty’s unrestricted operating deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1 had been reduced to between $50 million and $55 million. This is significantly better than the $110-million gap he projected last September, and the $80-million figure as of this past February. By the time FAS’s budget is submitted to the Corporation for approval, Smith said, he hoped to trim it further, to perhaps $35 million. He aims to fill that remaining gap with FAS reserve funds, and then to achieve a balanced budget for fiscal year 2012--assuming no worsening of economic conditions, and a flat distribution from the endowment (following 8 percent and 12 percent reductions, respectively, in the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years). For a more detailed report, see https://harvardmagazine.com/breaking-news/harvard-arts-and-sciences-budget-cuts. 

You might also like

Graduate Student Union Schedules Strike

The work stoppage will begin October 27, unless a final bargaining session next week yields an agreement.

Harvard Graduate Student Union Authorizes Another Strike

The University warns this walkout may not be protected by labor law, an assertion the union disputes.

FAS Readies for Administrative Transition

Faculty leaders say layoffs will yield $20 million in annual savings.

Most popular

How Philosophy at Harvard Saved Itself

As humanities shrink across higher education, one department is flourishing. Is its success a fluke, or a roadmap?

Three Harvard Alumni and a Former Postdoc Named MacArthur Fellows

A labor economist, an organic chemist, a physicist, and a memory researcher were honored with 2026 “genius” grants.

Harvard Stabilizes Finances With Strong Endowment Returns, Philanthropy

Small operating surplus is dwarfed by reduced federal research support and endowment tax liabilities.

Explore More From Current Issue

Colorful icons representing sleep, fruit, speech, and a mind with a water lily.

Check back soon to take our survey! 

Panoramic view of Harvard University with autumn foliage and a river under a cloudy sky.

The University is expanding industry ties and investing its own funds to support research, but neither will replace lost federal dollars.

Ancient Egyptian painted sarcophagus with detailed hieroglyphs and a woman's face.

A rare Egyptian mummy case is on display at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East.