SectionsMSU addresses budget issues
Kathryn Wall
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: News
Many who attended the joint Faculty and Staff Senates' meeting on Thursday weren't surprised by President Michael Nietzel's announcement that the operating budget for the next fiscal year would be cautious and conservative.
"I wasn't surprised by anything (Thursday)," said James Philpot, an assistant professor in the finance department and a faculty senator. "The administration has kept the faculty well-informed of the situation from the start. We - faculty, staff, and administration - will be running lean for the near future, and we are prepared to do that."
Nietzel has been holding meetings since March with faculty by college to address individual questions and get feedback about future financial concerns.
Robert Owens, a professor who teaches finance and real estate classes, said he was pleased with the approach officials are taking toward the university's uncertain future.
"These are uncertain times," he said. "It is wise to be cautious in budgeting and financial matters, not only for the university but for individuals as well. I thus appreciated hearing Dr. Nietzel's conservative approach for getting through the next academic year and perhaps beyond."
Nietzel's announcement on Thursday only pertained to the Springfield campus' operating budget.
"Think of the operating budget as that part of the university under the control of the president, provost, and vice presidents," he said. "Basically, it's all your academic programs and those programs and divisions that support those academic programs."
The $76 million operating budget drawn up for fiscal year 2010 was created with the assumption that the university would see flat revenue, he said, meaning state appropriations and money from tuition would remain the same as the current fiscal year.
Although the General Assembly has yet to approve a budget for the state, Nietzel said he expects representatives to at least maintain the same level of funding as the current fiscal year.
"I wasn't surprised by anything (Thursday)," said James Philpot, an assistant professor in the finance department and a faculty senator. "The administration has kept the faculty well-informed of the situation from the start. We - faculty, staff, and administration - will be running lean for the near future, and we are prepared to do that."
Nietzel has been holding meetings since March with faculty by college to address individual questions and get feedback about future financial concerns.
Robert Owens, a professor who teaches finance and real estate classes, said he was pleased with the approach officials are taking toward the university's uncertain future.
"These are uncertain times," he said. "It is wise to be cautious in budgeting and financial matters, not only for the university but for individuals as well. I thus appreciated hearing Dr. Nietzel's conservative approach for getting through the next academic year and perhaps beyond."
Nietzel's announcement on Thursday only pertained to the Springfield campus' operating budget.
"Think of the operating budget as that part of the university under the control of the president, provost, and vice presidents," he said. "Basically, it's all your academic programs and those programs and divisions that support those academic programs."
The $76 million operating budget drawn up for fiscal year 2010 was created with the assumption that the university would see flat revenue, he said, meaning state appropriations and money from tuition would remain the same as the current fiscal year.
Although the General Assembly has yet to approve a budget for the state, Nietzel said he expects representatives to at least maintain the same level of funding as the current fiscal year.
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