MSSU president thanks faculty for not getting a raise

Missouri Southern State University President (and resident fundraising genius) Bruce Speck thanked his faculty for cutting down on expenses and let them know his appreciation that they are going without a pay increase for the second consecutive year.

Of course, Speck himself had a year added to his contract last week, at no increase in pay, but he was smart enough not to mention that in his e-mail, since the $180,000 salary and fringe benefits Speck receives are considerably more than what faculty members take home.

The text of Speck's e-mail message is printed below:

Colleagues,

On Wednesday June 17, 2009 the MSSU Board of Governors met. A major action was to approve the FY2009-2010 budget. This budget represents important limitations under which MSSU must operate. Specifically the slow pace in the recovery of state revenues is resulting in the same level of operational funds (state allocations) for next year compared to this year. And our tuition will remain the same for next year. These revenue limitations have a dramatic impact on the operating money available to the University for the variety of expenses we incur daily.

In spite of our budget restrictions, I am pleased to report that the Board approved $186,000 to support the wages and associated fringe benefits for faculty who have been promoted. Their salary adjustments will be included in the academic year contracts beginning 8/1/2009. An additional $186,000 was also approved by the Board to support the salaries and associated fringe benefits for the professional staff effective 7/1/2009. You may recall that this group of employees did not benefit from the 15% adjustment made to a large group of hourly paid employees on 7/1/2007. The University at that time committed to addressing professional staff wages as soon as possible and engaged the assistance of a consultant firm to evaluate our non-faculty positions for internal and external equity. We have received preliminary recommendations from the consultant and will be communicating directly to employees the specific details of their compensation by July 9th. The FY2010 budget also will allow us to fund the cost of promotions for those hourly staff on the grade and step system who are eligible for a grade increase promotion.

Although I wish it was not the case, an important personal impact of the FY2010 budget to the entire MSSU employee family is that for the second fiscal year there will be no across the board increases for faculty and staff wages. We do not anticipate this trend to continue. However we need your help to reach a more financially healthy situation.

I congratulate all of you for the success in your efforts to be mindful of the MSSU budget and to treat our money as if it were your personal funds to spend. The economizing efforts you have made in the areas of utility and supply usage, reducing travel, etc. has helped the bottom line. We need to continue these efforts and look for more ways to be budget-minded. We are all ambassadors for the University and can do our part in encouraging students to come to Southern and continue their educational pursuits. Spring and summer enrollments are up and the preliminary numbers for fall are very encouraging. These are wonderfully positive trends and need to continue to grow.

In summary, I am asking you for your continued help in turning around the financial situation that Southern is facing. Know that you are appreciated by me as well as the entire University. The tasks you perform daily on behalf of our students are vital to our success.

Thank you.

Bruce