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Finances
dominate discussion Editor-in-Chief
The future of the state and college budgets created much conversation at the Board of Regents meeting Nov. 15. The colleges and universities this year are going to be more active, said College President Julio Le n. There s no question last year higher education bore a disproportionate burden. Dr. Paul Teverow, Faculty Senate president, said he and Roger Chelf, Senate member and Missouri Association of Faculty Senate council member, represented Missouri Southern at the Oct. 18 MAFS meeting. Robert Stein of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education reported that two-year institutions have petitioned the CBHE to be awarded the status of sole providers of associate degrees and off campus general education courses. Two-year institutions are also eager to provide lower-division courses for teacher preparation. Stein also announced the CBHE will be looking more closely at the missions of each institution. The new system, which includes measurable goals and consequences, will be instituted to replace the Mission Enhancement program. At the meeting, the video of Jim Moody, former budget director of Missouri, was shown to enhance the grim predictions of the future of the state budget. Quentin Wilson, who was recently named to a one-year term as CBHE commissioner, emphasized that colleges and universities need to work together to prove the vital role of higher education in the state s economy. Le n said the College is in a waiting mode to find out just how extensive the budget cuts to higher education will be. He said it will be December before the exact number is decided upon. The budget under which we re operating is already in the red, he said. Le n said he hopes higher education will experience more fairness as opposed as to what happened last year when elementary and secondary education received favorable treatment, and we had to pay for it. He said Quentin Wilson being named CBHE commissioner for one year should expedite matters as far as leadership is concerned. Le n also announced the Governor s Conference on Higher Education, originally scheduled for Dec. 4, was canceled due to a shortage of funds. The CBHE, however, will hold a regular meeting that day. Gov. Bob Holden will be present to award the Outstanding Teacher Award. Dr. Beverly Block, professor of business, is Southern s nominee. Immediately following the CBHE luncheon and awards ceremony, a second Trustee s Forum for 2002 will take place. The format has been changed from the first forum. The governor will address the attendees regarding funding and higher education, then the trustees and regents will break into groups to discuss these subjects in more detail. If there s anything to get the bullseye off our back as far as financial things go, please let us [Student Senate] know, said Zach Odem, Student Senate president. Le n also announced Southern has a good chance of experiencing a name change next semester. He said some of the newly elected legislators have plans to file a bill proposing university status as soon as the new legislative session begins. We will need support from Regents, faculty and students, he said. Odem said Student Senate is willing to do all it can to help the College obtain university status. Odem also reported that Student Senate is working on naming all the campus streets. The Senate has submitted 14 suggestions to Le n and Dr. Terri Agee, vice president for business affairs. The list will eventually be eliminated to 11 names. Dr. Larry Martin, vice president for academic affairs, announced reports and curricular proposals. He reported the major changes will occur in biology, music, information systems and education. Martin also announced two retirements, Dr. Nancy Smith, professor of teacher education, and Dr. Bonnie Cox, assistant professor of teacher education, will take effect July 1, 2003. In financial news, Rob Yust, treasurer, said a $600,000 payment will be made on the investment and plant fund next month. Agee said the construction on the crosswalks is going very well. According to contract, the project must be substantially complete by Jan. 21 and completely finished by Feb. 11. The next Regents meeting will be held Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, in the Billingsly Student Center, Room 314. |