Recent Developments in the Teaching Program
Since the 1992 CSREES review, the Department of Entomology has faced some major challenges. Between 1991 and 1995, overall enrollment at Virginia Tech remained static but the number of undergraduates in the four colleges with life sciences undergraduates increased by nearly 50%, from 2,372 to 3,579. This rise in life sciences majors coincided with a dramatic reduction in support for higher education by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Across the University, faculty and staff positions and instructional dollars decreased by about 15% over this same period. In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the decrease was at least 25%. Incentives were offered for early retirement, without the opportunity to replace instructors in critical fields. Despite this, the Department has been able to respond positively to many of the recommendations made by the 1992 Review Team.
