I completely agree that they must be funded adequately, just as research centres must be funded adequately. I absolutely support their demands. You will see that the deans council supports our appeal. It is not a matter of choosing one or the other; it's a matter of having both, together.
Contrary to what you are saying, I don't think the process will really take a lot of time. I think the process could be a quick one that will produce tangible results.