Knowles wrote that a reduction of 20 staffpositions by FY1996 will likely be necessary tocompletely eliminate the deficit. A FAS hiringfreeze which continued through 1994 was offset bythe increase in computer support personnel.

Finally, Knowles expressed concern aboutprojected reductions in federal support forscience funding and expected "Contract WithAmerica" reductions in student aid.

Knowles praised the work of the EducationalPolicy Committee, the new Committee on EthnicStudies and those involved in the newEnvironmental Science and Public Policyconcentration for working to improve theundergraduate educational experience.

"I am pleased to report that over the pastthree years we have built a group of facultydeeply engaged in curricular issues and ablewisely to address these matters bothphilosophically and in detail," Knowles said.

In particular, the dean mentioned increased andwidespread concern about student-facultyinteraction and advising.

But Knowles also expressed concern about GSAS,particularly the "weak" job market for new Ph.D.sand the decline in graduate student aid