A near-record loss of university faculty across the state is causing concern as enrollment numbers continue to rise.

The Board of Regents recently disclosed information indicating a loss of faculty members among the state’s three major institutions. Iowa State lost 55 faculty members in 2001, 10 more than in 2000.

According to the Jan. 16 general docket memos, “Regent universities reported 158 faculty resignations occurred during the 2000-2001 academic year . only seven less than the record 165 resignations in 1987.”

“The impact of faculty leaving the university is especially detrimental during this period of budget crisis because there will be insufficient funds to replace all of them,” said Christine Pope, ISU Faculty Senate president.

The increase in losses is occurring as a result of the across-the-board budget cut that has been set in place by the Iowa Legislature in response to the sluggish state economy, she said.

“When you add to all of these losses upcoming retirements, you have significantly fewer faculty to teach,” said Pope, associate professor of history. “This is happening at the same time that student enrollments are rising. Larger classes, fewer choices and the reduction in course offerings are the likely outcome of these trends.”

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences had 26 faculty resign, the most of any ISU college.

LAS Dean Peter Rabideau said the colleges’ numbers are larger because the faculty and departments in the college are the most common across the country.

“I’ve seen a number of cases in which instructors are being made offers significantly higher than what we’re paying them,” Rabideau said.

“I can only imagine a contributing factor is the budget problem in the state, which I certainly hope doesn’t continue.”

One of the most upsetting aspects, he said, is the loss of not only financial investments, but also the time, effort and commitment that goes into finding and retaining faculty.

While it is difficult to replace faculty members, Rabideau remains optimistic.

“There is always opportunity for good faculty, and we have a lot of good faculty here at Iowa State,” he said.

Percentage-wise, Rabideau said, LAS lost 5.2 percent of its faculty members – fewer than the College of Education, which lost 6.8 percent, and the College of Design, which lost 6.2 percent.

Mark Engelbrecht, dean of design, said this year’s loss of faculty is not unusual.

“From my observation and discussions with those leaving, they are leaving for the typical reasons,” he said. “We’ll continue doing our best to replace them.”