Regarding the Budget Model Task Force's Feb. 5 public discussion (see Chronicle coverage at http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Feb10/BudgetDiscussion.html)

Please, please don't tell me that no one has thought of soliciting the perspective of alumni, as it will confirm my view that the operation of the university remains inwardly focused, and will reinforce my belief that this is a key element of culture that impedes progress.

Those of us who have managed similar transformations in industry during the past few decades know a thing or two about how to "cut costs." Alumni can speak more openly than those who are presently on-site, university constituents whose lives and livelihoods are likely to be affected ... and yet they are also stakeholders.

I'll provide a simple principle, which surely is distasteful enough to never be heard there: ALL costs are ultimately proportional to the numbers of people employed. When I notice the phrase "Zero Base Analysis" somewhere in the task force budget model deliberations, I'll know that the university administration is finally coming to terms with the challenge.

-- Robert A. "Bob" Boyajian '74, M.E. '75