SectionsMSU gets set for budget cut
Kathryn Wall
Issue date: 12/9/08 Section: News
After an emergency meeting of the Executive Budget Committee late last Friday, President Michael Nietzel announced in an e-mail immediate spending freezes for the Missouri State system in reaction to foreseen funding cuts from the state government.
According to the e-mail, these changes will affect maintenance and repair, classroom improvements, international and domestic travel (for faculty and staff, funded by the university) and discretionary projects.
Maintenance and repair will be continued for important projects, but all repairs that can be postponed will be.
All classroom improvement projects are suspended as of Friday and until further notice by the committee.
International travel funded by the university's general fund has been suspended, except in the case where some kind of payment has already been made. In that situation, it will be Nietzel's decision as to whether the trip will happen.
Domestic travel by faculty and staff will only be funded if it is "necessary and appropriate," Nietzel said.
He asked in the e-mail that the Provost, deans, department heads and directors review all discretionary projects in order to "be conservative on all discretionary use of general funds related to their units."
"Our goal in all of these decisions should be to maintain the quality of educational experiences for our students," Nietzel said in the e-mail.
He also said the e-mail sent Friday will be the first of several with regard to the budget situation.
Despite the seemingly bleak outlook, university administrators are urging the university community not to panic.
"When we read something yesterday that conveys making contingency plans of the magnitude that has been reported, it gets everyone's attention," said Earle Doman, acting vice president for student affairs and member of the Administrative Council, another university group analyzing the budget shortfalls.
"There is, however, what I believe to be a universal understanding that our higher education enterprise is essential for future success of not only individuals, but for our state and nation," Doman said. "This is definitely a national issue and the solutions will need to come from institutions, local, state and national leadership."
According to the e-mail, these changes will affect maintenance and repair, classroom improvements, international and domestic travel (for faculty and staff, funded by the university) and discretionary projects.
Maintenance and repair will be continued for important projects, but all repairs that can be postponed will be.
All classroom improvement projects are suspended as of Friday and until further notice by the committee.
International travel funded by the university's general fund has been suspended, except in the case where some kind of payment has already been made. In that situation, it will be Nietzel's decision as to whether the trip will happen.
Domestic travel by faculty and staff will only be funded if it is "necessary and appropriate," Nietzel said.
He asked in the e-mail that the Provost, deans, department heads and directors review all discretionary projects in order to "be conservative on all discretionary use of general funds related to their units."
"Our goal in all of these decisions should be to maintain the quality of educational experiences for our students," Nietzel said in the e-mail.
He also said the e-mail sent Friday will be the first of several with regard to the budget situation.
Despite the seemingly bleak outlook, university administrators are urging the university community not to panic.
"When we read something yesterday that conveys making contingency plans of the magnitude that has been reported, it gets everyone's attention," said Earle Doman, acting vice president for student affairs and member of the Administrative Council, another university group analyzing the budget shortfalls.
"There is, however, what I believe to be a universal understanding that our higher education enterprise is essential for future success of not only individuals, but for our state and nation," Doman said. "This is definitely a national issue and the solutions will need to come from institutions, local, state and national leadership."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
JT Eberhard
posted 12/09/08 @ 1:56 PM CST
It's ok, we have a new basketball stadium.
JT Eberhard
http://jteberhard.blogspot.com
madmax
posted 12/09/08 @ 3:16 PM CST
The end of the article appears to be missing.
Lauren Lane
posted 12/10/08 @ 11:30 PM CST
Omg! I know! I love the stadium! It's SOOOO shiny and has pretty pretty lights that show a bears face and is FILLED with our winning basketball teams. (Continued…)
Jeff Van Booven
posted 12/10/08 @ 11:38 PM CST
I just can't get enough of that stadium. It's just so shiny and awesome. Sure, I've never been in it and probably never will. Still, I mean, you've got to support those wicked awesome basketball teams that win all those national championships. (Continued…)
Jessie
posted 12/11/08 @ 9:17 AM CST
Wow, I thought I was the only one bitter about the new stadium. I can't decide what makes me more angry. The new stadium, or the "alumni" phone calls I continue to get for "donations. (Continued…)
Post a Comment