Faculty, students and members of the Madison community met Thursday for the fourth economic brainstorming forum led by UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin.
The open assemblies provide a unique opportunity to discuss ideas held by those who are affected by the state budget deficit.
The forum began with a short introduction by Martin as she acknowledged the very difficult budget"" UW-Madison community will have to work with.
Though she anticipates the upcoming year to be the most trying, she said she is optimistically waiting to hear legislation's financial decision about the budget.
""[The budget] will present opportunities as well as challenges,"" Martin said.
The approximate attendance of 50-60 individuals divided into smaller groups to brainstorm cost-cutting strategies in response to the budget shortage.
Throughout the series of forums, ideas pertaining to themes of longevity, efficiency and unity reoccurred the most.
Members of the forum also saw opportunity in creating more common areas across campus, citing the overuse of specialized ""niche"" areas. One attendee said the possibility of using such spaces to combine courses ""could potentially further campus unity while also cutting costs.""
Attendees recommended utilizing electronic media to cut costs while also sustaining an eco-friendly mindset. Suggestions included posting required readings on Learn@UW and incorporating online components in large-scale lectures.
A senior Zoology major focused on the need for leadership cohesion with the university's administration and student body.
""UW is fragmented '¦ [for example] tonight we're only focusing on half of the equation '¦ the administration,"" he said.
Martin's signature on letter to President Obama
Regardless of financial challenges, Martin said it is of top priority to maintain the university's preeminence as a high-value and cutting-edge research institution.
Martin earlier this month partook in a letter to President Barack Obama as one of nearly 50 other higher education leaders arguing for the importance of scientific research.
The letter asked President Obama to consider increasing research funding while developing his economic stimulus package.
""Scientific research is a part of our core mission and we are consequently generating ideas that make the world a better place to live,"" Martin said.
