Hard Work, Advocacy Paid Off For Physics Department In Face Of UNI Budget Cuts

At the beginning of March, the physics department at the was hit hard with news that the bachelor of science physics degree would be one of the 58 programs terminated due to budgets cuts.

Now, due to persistent letters, emails and calls, the recommendation was changed - the degree will be "restructured," instead of eliminated.

Those involved with the physics department said they were very pleased with the outcome.

“We went out and celebrated — it was a great time,” said Brad Friend, an applied physics and professional science masters in applied physics degree student. “I’m a professional science masters degree student, and that is unfortunately still being cut. It’s bittersweet for me.”

The physics bachelor of arts program was moved to the cut list in place of the bachelor of science program, which physics faculty had said would make more sense, as the B.A. had less students than the B.S.

Friend, along with other students and physics department faculty, took action for the change to occur, sending out letters to legislators, the Board of Regents and creating a Facebook page for support. Faculty spoke to other school administrators and their peer groups.

“I myself talked to seven legislators the week before spring break down in Des Moines,” Friend said. “I’m also a member of the Waterloo Technical Society, and we have about 75 members. I tried to get them involved by getting letters out to them. A few of them had written in newspapers.”

As for the future of the university, the students and faculty of the physics department plan to continue making their voices heard to help save other programs and majors on the closure list.

“We consider this a pretty good win and we’re glad that they made a logical decision,” said Friend.