Pacific’s dental school says it will withhold donations in face of cuts

STOCKTON — Leaders of the fundraising board for University of the Pacific’s dental school are threatening to withhold millions of dollars in donations to the university if the administration follows through on a planned 6.25 percent reduction to the Dugoni School of Dentistry’s budget.

The threat is contained in a letter this week to Pacific’s Board of Regents from Steve Tiret, the president of the Dugoni Foundation, and Dr. Janet Andrews, a 1983 graduate of the Dugoni school who serves on the foundation’s executive committee.

The letter was shared with The Record on Friday by a university employee who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.

“While we appreciate the university’s challenging financial situation, we also understand the Dugoni School has managed its budget in a fiscally responsible way for many years,” the one-page letter says, in part.

It goes on to state that “all members of the Dugoni School Foundation are prepared to consider discontinuing our current pledges as well as future support.”

In response to the letter, the university issued a written statement Friday afternoon from Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi, the dean of the Dugoni School of Dentistry.

“We appreciate and understand the concerns of the Dugoni School Foundation and realize that this is a difficult time for the entire Pacific community,” Nadershahi said. “Our generous donors and supporters have been instrumental in the School of Dentistry’s success in providing the culture, academic and clinical excellence that have earned national and international recognition.

“Pacific has successfully transformed throughout its 167-year history, and by working together, we are confident that the university and the dental school will be well positioned for a strong future.”

According to the Dugoni School Foundation, it is responsible for nearly 27 percent of Pacific’s fundraising take during the university’s current campaign — $52 million of Pacific’s $194 million in contributions. The letter, citing a budget presentation by university President Eibeck two months ago, also states that the dental school’s $73.6 million budget is facing a reduction of $4.6 million.

"(Eibeck) emphasized the low percentage (cut of 6.25 percent) proposed for the Dugoni School compared to other university schools and colleges,” the letter says. “But in actual dollars, the $4.6M is significant and will do tremendous harm to the Dugoni School’s people, programs and place.

“As President Eibeck often says, ‘the Dugoni School is the jewel of the university,’ and worth protecting during this difficult time . ... Now is not the time to weaken a reliable source of strength for the university.”

Criticism of Eibeck has mounted in recent weeks. In mid-October, about 200 students, frustrated by steadily increasing tuition combined with budget cuts, rallied and called for Eibeck’s firing outside a Board of Regents meeting. Meanwhile, faculty members at the university’s campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco reportedly are voting this weekend on a resolution of “no confidence” in the 61-yearold Eibeck, who has been Pacific’s president for nine years.

In a letter of his own this week, Board of Regents President Kevin Huber voiced strong support for Eibeck.