Rolling up our sleeves.

Mathios, Alan D. ; Q., Rbecca ; Dean, James C. Morgan 等

Today's economic conditions, on campus and off, have forced us to tighten our belts and focus on efficient and effective stewardship of our mission. Our primary objective in responding to these circumstances is to protect and strengthen the undergraduate academic experience and to make the budget challenges we face invisible to our students. Undergraduates are only here for four years, and it is the only four years they will have.

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At the same time, the challenges we all face in today's society demand the skills, experience, and perspective that the College of Human Ecology offers, particularly through our extension and outreach programs.

Faculty members, extension professionals, and various program staff members here in Ithaca and networked across New York State are helping individuals and families navigate this economy with financial management and energy efficiency workshops and resources. They are mobilizing and training senior citizens to volunteer as environmental stewards. They are empowering our youth to take responsibility for themselves and their communities. And they are conducting pioneering research that could one day transform public policy, health care, education, and personal well being on countless fronts.

The times we live in demand broad perspectives and innovative approaches to problem solving. This is the organizing principle at the heart of Human Ecology--the means by which we integrate our three-fold mission of academics, research, and outreach and the essential character of our distinct learning environment.

Sincerely,

Alan D. Mathios

Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean

College of Human Ecology

Special Note: I would like to take a moment to thank Jo Swanson and Gret Atkin for their years of service and dedication to the College of Human Ecology and Cornell's land-grant mission. They are both retiring this year and it is only fitting that we honor them in an issue dedicated to spotlighting Human Ecology's outreach and impact. While we will miss them greatly, their contributions are lasting.