It is time for an update an update and continued information and discussion. 

The state budget forecast.  Today’s news out of the Governor’s office indicates another round of state budget cuts.  As you may have seen in local media, last week Missouri Department of Higher Education Commissioner Robert Stein sent a memo to the chancellors and presidents of the state’s 2- and 4-year institutions.  In the memo Commissioner Stein pointed to some rather sobering projections for state revenues in FY12 and beyond.  The letter went on to list potential responses to budget reductions of 10% or more, ranging from larger class sizes and program reductions to consolidation or even privatizing of entire institutions.  It is too early to tell either how bad the budget situation will actually be or what broad measures might be introduced at the state level, but clearly the circumstances will be challenging and perhaps quite different than anything we have faced in recent memory.  None of this news is really new to us – recall that last fall Dr. Nietztel referred to FY12 as  “cliff” and that a 5% reduction in state appropriations in FY11 almost certainly would be followed by a cut of at least that magnitude in FY12 – except that the state revenue projections have gotten worse rather than better and now the Commissioner is talking openly about possible cuts as large as 15%.

I strongly encourage you to (1) read Commissioner Stein’s memo and (2) attend the presentation On Monday, February 8, at 3 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Theater by Paul Wagner, deputy commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education.  Mr. Wagner will speak to the Missouri State campus community about the budget challenges facing the State of  Missouri, and higher education in particular.

On February 24 there will be a Town Hall meeting at 3:00 PM in PSU Theatre.  Provost McCarthy will chair a panel of the deans who will talk about how they plan to deal with their portion of the anticipated budget reduction in Fiscal Year 2011.   At this point it appears that CNAS will be able to make our FY11 by not filling several positions (mostly faculty).  None of this is easy but this may be much less than what we face in the near future.

Revising the university’s long range plan.  Last summer President Nietzel presented to the Board of Governors a progress report on the current long range plan, focusing on the benchmark measurements that has been set out in that plan.  He then provided a similar update in his Fall 2009 state of the university address.  Recently, preparations have begun for the new long range planning process, and Academic Affairs is going to play a key role.  I expect there will be some communication coming from the President’s Office before too long.  There will be opportunities for participation and input from faculty and staff.  I hope you will take every chance to participate and speak out.   Obviously, the planning process must take into account the current and potential budget situation.  Current assumptions include steady or slightly increase in enrollment, at least a 10% reduction in state appropriations in FY12 and not recovering until FY15, and legislative constraints on tuition will be maintained per SB389.

During February and March I plan to visit with each of the departments in the college to talk about issues related to the budget and strategic planning, as these broader campus conversations are beginning, as well.

As soon as I have more information to share with you about any of these important issues I will let you know.  In the meantime, I encourage you to take a few moments to read Commissioner Stein’s memo and to review the long range plan and Dr. Nietzel’s report from last fall.  I also encourage you to scan the higher ed publications, such as The Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside HigherEd, to read what’s going on around the country. 

 I will begin posting links to articles on my blog page.  If you find articles that you think may be useful to all of us please send me that links and I will post them.

 In Cutting Programs, Universities Try to Swing the Ax Gently

http://chronicle.com/article/In-Cutting-Programs/63828/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en

 Distinct Visions and Strong Leaders Can Sustain Troubled Colleges, Speaker Says

http://chronicle.com/article/More-Remedies-for-Colleges-in/63877/

 Article from Columbia, MO paper about higher ed budget situation:

 http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/jan/26/higher-ed-chief-suggests-ways-to-save-money/?news