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An anonymous Web-based survey was used to gather the perceptions and experiences from 114 faculty members teaching in 16 social work programs in the California State University system about the effect of severe budget cuts on their educational activities. Most respondents reported they worked on their furlough days and maintained the same or larger workload that they had before the furlough. Larger workloads, diminished feelings of personal accomplishment, and stressful interactions with students were associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion. Implications of these findings are discussed.

In uncertain economic times, universities have taken steps to address financial problems by including the use of business models. In 2009, the California State University (CSU) system implemented furloughs of a 10% pay reduction and 18 days removed from the academic calendar. Faculty in 16 CSU schools of social work participated in a Web-based survey ("N"?=?118) regarding the effect of the furlough along with their intent to leave the CSU system. Results found that minority faculty reported higher financial strain. The regression of significant variables on intent to leave found that feelings acknowledgment and financial strain predicted 36% of the variance. Loss of CSU social work faculty is likely to affect the quality of education. Implications for retention are discussed.

One section of graduate-level social work practice was taught to use microcomputers whereas another was not; all students reported high levels of computer interest, use, receptivity, and ownership. At posttest and one-semester followup, nonsignificant differences between training and control sections were found on measures of use, interest, and attitude. (Author/MSE)