No one asked me, but as an MSSU graduate, I offer this advice- you can save more than a million by dumping high-priced consultants to do the work that you have highly paid administrators to do for you. Even in this economy, a million dollars will go a long way.
The Board of Governors for Missouri Southern State University met in a closed session on February 29, 2012, to discuss the faculty promotion process for this fiscal year and voted to allow the process that began last summer to continue during this fiscal year. There are currently seven faculty members who are being considered for possible promotions this year.
The Board’s motion and vote were contingent upon receiving a legal opinion from the University’s legal counsel. That opinion was received by the University on March 6, 2012.
The discussion and subsequent decision came about after the Board of Governors was informed that seven faculty members had applied for promotion in the summer of 2011 to be effective in FY13. Recommendations regarding these promotions were to be presented for Board consideration at their May meeting. The Board Members considered whether the promotions could be financed in a time when the University is facing budget cuts.
“This was a difficult decision,” said Dr. Sherry Buchanan, president of the Board of Governors. “Even though game-changing reductions in state appropriations would justify an interruption in the promotion process, the majority of the board members felt that since the promotion process for these seven faculty members has been ongoing for several months that it should continue. So if recommendations for promotion are presented, they will be considered.”
Eligible faculty members were told last summer that they could apply for promotion if desired. Seven faculty members made application. Their applications currently are being reviewed by the campus-wide Promotions Committee, with recommendations to be made to the Vice President of Academic Affairs by mid-March, and subsequently, to the President and the Board of Governors. If all seven promotions are approved, this would mean adding approximately $90,000, plus benefit costs, to Missouri Southern’s payroll.
Because of the University’s financial situation for FY13, the Board Members also decided that salary and benefits increases for these personnel will be phased in over the next three contract years, instead of adding the entire burden to the FY13 budget.
Voting yes on this decision were Rod Anderson, Nancy Perry, Jim Fleischaker, Richard Walter, and Sherry Buchanan. Lynn Ewing and Chuck Surface voted no.
“We continue to examine how we can make the budget work both in the short-term and the long-term,” said President Dr. Bruce Speck. “The entire campus has been invited to make suggestions on how to increase revenue and decrease expenses and we’re thankful for those recommendations. We anticipate that the budget will be presented at the May meeting of the Board of Governors, although we plan to announce any significant adjustments prior to that meeting.”
8 comments:
By following the money, it's easy to see what it is valued by the board and the administration. Money from reserves has been spent to improve the physical plant and hire two expensive consulting firms whose recommendations will require additional funds to be spent.
What is NOT valued is MSSU employees, faculty and staff, who have been sacrificing since 2008 with the understanding that the savings would be used to help the university in 2013. And now they will face increased costs at home and at work while receiving no cost of living adjustment for four years running.
Where is the plan? Where is the leadership? The board and administration have known for four years that state cuts were coming. Other institutions have already announced their strategies. Did MSSU administrators begin developing a plan for the future prior to the governor's announcement of cuts? It certainly doesn't look like it.
here we go again...the whinebags at southern are getting spring fever..just like kids don't want to go to school in spring...southern teachers don't want to teach...just complain
Anonymous 6:53 is Mr. Dwight Douglas, former member of the MSSU Board of Governors.
Anon 8:57...as usual randy and his crowd hasn't got the facts... Anon 6:53 is not who you say ...unfortunately, people will read what is said and accept it as true...without question...I must admit it was a laugher to read who you say I am ... if you only knew ...but you don't care to know the truth so go on with your misleading comments...I just hope people take them with a grain of salt
Really anon 6:53? Let's say YOU worked 11 YEARS to get a promotion and a raise and were told "Sorry, we spent a million dollars on consultants, so we can't afford your raise." This is not a cost of living raise but a merit raise - a person has performed all that was expected of him or her and probably more - but is slapped in the face with that information plus the news that he or she is probably going to have to pay for parking TO WORK for them, pay more for his or her insurance, and pay other assorted nickel and dime "fees".
And speaking of nickel and dime fees, MSSU students need to start paying attention to their bills. Tuition can't be raised more than $6.48 an hour but there is no limit to the number of "fees" that will soon appear.
Anonymous 6:53 is a twit who can only spew ad hominems. No facts, no thoughtful arguments with reason or data. Just ad hominems. To attempt to "debate" with a twit only lowers you. The larger point of the first Anon is that the MSSU Board of Governors is as out of their depth as the president of the institution. The blind leading the blind.
We have really seen a sea change in how things are handled under the Speck administration. MSSU hires more Vice Presidents and more consultants, blames others for their misfortune, and refuses to take any responsibility for their own shortcomings.
I laugh at all these comments who argue with each other about whose comments are valid while all hide behind being anonymous. If you want people to determine whether you have facts or are just a moron then put your name on it.
David Holley
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