COE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
November 11, 2016
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Hill 314
Attendees: Linda Garrison-Kane, Becky Swearingen, Kim Dubree, Steve Jones, Brittany Wittenberg, David Hough, Teresa Steele, James Satterfield, Denise Cunningham, Janice Duncan, Abby Burch, Cathy Pearman, Jill Martin, Jon Turner
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. The dean started the meeting by stating he has received 6 Student Travel Requests. The current policy states that the student could receive up to $400 from the college and that academic department may also support student travel. A motion was made by Becky Swearingen and seconded by Brittany Wittenberg to match the amount committed by the Graduate College. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion ensued regarding levels of departmental support and policy pertaining to same. While departments shared how they have supported student travel, none have policies. Dean Hough recommended each department develop a student travel support policy.
Next, the dean told the committee there were four Program Support Requests to consider that have been approved by Faculty Advisory Committee. Becky Swearingen, who also serves on the Faculty Advisory Committee, was able to speak to the FAC’s discussions. She indicated that Debra Price was asked to supply more detail prior to sending to the Budget Committee, which she did. The Dean reported that there is $37,930 available to allocate. After brief discussion Steve Jones made a motion to approve all of the requests and it was seconded by Jill Martin. The requests were approved for a total of $16,607. Becky went on to suggest that we should always have a faculty serve on both committees at the same time, and it was thought to be a good idea, but would be discussed at a later date.
Jon Turner then spoke to the item regarding Rural Teaching Academy. He pointed out that it would increase MSU’s footprint and could become a recruiting tool. It was suggested that this effort could be weaved in with the recruitment project that Dr. Satterfield and Dr. Brown are currently doing. Drs. Brown and Satterfield intend to extend their efforts to the bootheel and rural southwest Missouri areas. It was also suggested to set up a collaborative with the schools wherein the schools could finance attendance in exchange for the student returning to their rural area and teaching. Dean Hough pointed out that there is a Teach for America grant that was discussed at a recent meeting in Jeff City.
Jon Turner also discussed the communication to school superintendents and school boards to spotlight research and education. He suggested we prepare a brochure that highlights our graduates achievements and connections. He noted that it would increase our profile in general.
The dean asked the BC if they wanted to encumber funds to support departmental and college Strategic Plans. At the faculty meeting today many ideas were generated that will be used to help formulate the plan. The dean noted that plans need funding, and asked the BC to consider an approach for determining which items in the plans should receive highest priority. The BC decided to table this discussion until after departmental and college plans are finalized.
A discussion of the Summer Budget was broached and the dean told the group that Leadership Council will be discussing this issue at their next meeting on November 17. The discussion will be around whether to continue to use the same formula to determine allocations. Each department can decide how they will best use the allocation they receive from the college for summer school teaching.
Teresa informed the group that we need to elect two faculty to the Academic Affairs Budget Committee. Becky Swearingen and Brittany Wittenberg volunteered and were voted in by the members of the COE Budget Committee to represent COE.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Steele, Budget Officer
Next meeting: December 9, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. in Hill 314.