COE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

February 15, 2019

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Hill 339

 

Attendees: Teresa Steele, David Hough, Denise Cunningham, Cathy Pearman, Minor Baker, Abby Burch, Emmett Sawyer, Joe Hulgus, Rose Lee, Janice Duncan

The meeting began at 8:00 a.m. with Dean Hough providing the committee an update of the University funding requests: (1) Equitable funding added to the MSU base, (2) capital funding for the GLS project, and (3) support to expand the nursing program.

The BC discussed the University’s current enrollment and funding situation that would represent a need to trim $5 million in expenditures from the FY20 budget.  The COE BC continues to support eliminating the Internet Incentive program.  The Faculty Senate put together a committee to consider this and to come up with a plan to end it within 3 years.  The group was unable to do so and suggested keeping it.  The Faculty Senate has agreed to support the result of the committee.

For the update on Program Support Proposal funding Dean Hough informed the group that all Program Requests were approved and given funds using the formula devised at the last COE budget meeting.  Sharon Lopinot has developed a list of recipients and amounts received.

Dean Hough gave an update on the MSU Campaign & Development efforts stating that all deans are receiving training on fund raising, and Brent Dunn has brought in a consultant that will be assisting with the effort. The next item discussed was what are COE’s funding priorities and where should we make cuts. The BC suggested cutting low enrollment programs and perhaps moving faculty to other programs where enrollments are growing.  The dean will end via email the items listed on the agenda as discussion items and asks that all members rank them and be prepared to discuss their reasoning at the next COE Budget Committee meeting.

BC members reviewed the COE marketing and recruitment plan that will be submitted to the Provost and approved same with no further suggestions. Key to the plan are efforts to recruit underrepresented students. Support was given to hire a recruiter currently in Mobile, Alabama, to assist with this effort.  This approach will be assessed after six months to determine future directions.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 8, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. in Hill 339.

 

Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Steele, Budget Officer