VP&S and University Research Update

Dear Colleagues,

As the University announced this morning, it has had to make difficult decisions on how to most effectively manage resources in today’s uncertain and complex research environment, while preserving critical research initiatives and scientific capabilities. These steps will include the reduction of a number of research-related positions related to terminated awards on all campuses, including at VP&S and the medical center.

First, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to all affected personnel at VP&S for their service to Columbia and to the pursuit of groundbreaking research. Their meaningful and valued contributions have furthered health and medicine for the better and we are immensely thankful for their dedication to our mission and to scientific discovery.

These steps reflect a thoughtful, considered process by our school’s leadership and the University, with the aim of minimizing disruption to our research efforts. Columbia leadership is continuing to work with the federal government to provide a path for restoring grants and contracts that support our research enterprise. However, even as those discussions continue, we believe it is prudent to take steps specifically related to terminated awards. In some cases, we will operate with lighter footprints of research infrastructure; in other areas, we will maintain a level of research continuity as we pursue alternate funding sources.

We remain firmly dedicated to upholding our values and missions to advance innovative research and inquiry, to train the next generation of leaders, and to advance excellence in patient care. The University is launching a Research Stabilization Fund, which will include a process led by the medical center, to provide support in certain instances to high priority research areas while we seek new sources of funding, and to help certain research initiatives complete their work. The Office of the Executive Vice President for Research’s Stabilization Fund and Other Resources webpage has more details about this and other resources on funding opportunities for the research community. The University will help schools provide support over the next year for graduate and post-doctoral students currently on terminated training grants. We also continue to work diligently with the support of our board of trustees and donors to identify new resources to support critical research efforts.

Other steps announced by the University will also apply to VP&S and the medical center, including plans to keep most salaries at their current level, without increases for the next fiscal year, and the launch of a voluntary retirement incentive program—the details of which will be shared next week. In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to need to make hard decisions that allow us to invest in research areas that drive us forward and preserve our financial flexibility.

It is incredibly difficult to share this news with a school that I have been so proud to be a part of for over 35 years—a community that is devoted to solving the world’s most vexing problems in health and healing. I know this news is upsetting for our tightknit community and I ask you to join me in expressing our deepest support and gratitude for our affected colleagues.

While this period is exceptionally testing, I know that we will demonstrate our collective resolve and resilience, as we have done before. Thank you again for your patience, perseverance, and understanding during this trying moment for Columbia and all of higher education.

Sincerely,

James McKiernan, MD
Interim Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Acting Executive Vice President for Health and Biomedical Sciences, Columbia University
CEO, ColumbiaDoctors