A letter from Fred Boice, President of the Arizona Board of Regents to ASCP members:

Thank you for your interest in the Arizona State University Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program. The Arizona Board of Regents recognizes that this program is the only accredited CLS program in the state and the only motivation for consideration of its closure is the substantial expense associated with it.

The three universities have absorbed almost $200 million in budget cuts this fiscal year and face difficult choices in responding to these significant budget reductions. However, prior to finalizing any of the proposals to cut programs, the Regents must review all proposals and make the final decision. The elimination of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program will be presented and thoroughly discussed at our April Board meeting.

In addition to this review, Regent Ernest Calderón asked one of our local hospital executives to consider coordinating a community based effort to raise an endowment that would fully fund the program and allow it to continue. In light of the recent severe legislative cuts to the budgets of the universities, this may be our only option to continue the program.

Thank you for your support. Again, I want you to know that this is a matter that the Board is taking seriously.

Fred Boice, President
Arizona Board of Regents