College of Education
Leadership Council
April 9, 2020
9:00 – 10:30 am – ZOOM
Notes
Attendees: David Hough, Russ Brock, Jef Cornelius-White, Denise Cunningham, Kim Dubree, Janice Duncan, Karen Engler, Stephanie Huffman, Travis Marler, Juli Panza, James Satterfield, Barri Tinkler, Ximena Uribe-Zarain, Rachel Heinz, Rose Lee, Sharon Lopinot
Dean Hough welcomed everyone. He just finished meeting with the Faculty Advisory Council. One topic they discussed was recruitment. The Dean suggested that we create an information card showing how students could save money by coming to the MSU COE. These cards could be similar to those we created for Ashley Flores to use, and she was able to identify 15 students who were scheduled to attend the summer Bear Partnership program on campus. Juli Panza helped develop the “cost of college” brochures for Ashley and volunteered to create one for Missouri students, as well.
The Dean explained that the Federal Government’s $15 million support for MSU as reported in the media is a bit misleading in that roughly one half of the CARES Act funding can be used for financial aid for students and the other half, while complicated to try to explain, is not to subsidize IHEs for their budget shortfalls. He also noted that the University would communicate more about this tomorrow in a press release, detailing both the $7.6 million State withholding and other revenue deficits created by the coronavirus pandemic.
FAC members suggested using our own students to recruit, to participate virtually in Teacher Appreciation Week, and hold a Town Hall meeting with a local panel of experts on OPT to discuss how to finance your education. The Dean explained how COE one-time salary savings are created and how those funds can sometimes be used for various things such as overages on per course faculty and to balance out departments that go over their budgeted amount. COE is currently in a position to carry forward approximately $500,000 that would contribute to the University reserve.
FAC members discussed what the college might address further regarding revenue shortfalls should enrollments be down in the fall. Deans and Vice Presidents are taking a 10% cut in salary for two months. President Smart is taking a 20% cut. FAC members agreed they would rather teach more classes for the fall semester than take a cut in pay like the Dean volunteered to do.
Dean Hough asked LC members for their ideas about programs with low enrollments.
Denise: She is concerned about FCS but it only involves one clinical instructor. She is in favor of trying to utilize other faculty in different departments if they are qualified for other areas to save on per course funds.
Stephanie: SETL could combine sections and ZOOM to one site.
James: He recommended two CLSE programs that could be looked at due to low enrollments. SAHE costs the university money and does not generate any revenue, because all the students in the program have graduate assistantships paid by the COE or other units on campus. EAD enrollments continue to decline.
The Dean stated that he is not going to recommend these or any other programs be eliminated. Instead, he wants the departments to work on recruitment of students into low enrollment programs.
Summer school has a $900,000.00 deficit. If the internet incentive was held back for the summer, it would save $700,000.00. This is being discussed at all levels
The Dean stated that he felt it would be prudent for departments to begin working on a Fall 2020 scenario that would have the University reopened in some capacity with a contingency plan should a “shelter in place” order be made again in October or November.
All of our faculty need to be ready for classes Janice said her faculty could continue to teach regardless of future occurrences. Russ reported ATLL should be good as far as funding for the fall. Rachel reported that the Bear POWER students are doing great. They are model students and it has been easier than expected. The student ambassadors are very supportive and come up with great events for the students. The Dean asked the department heads how they felt classes were going and all reported positively. Most FAC members were optimistic about the current situation.
Juli and a few others are working on creating TikTok videos. They are going to create an account and start contacting faculty, alumni, and students about making short clips. They also talked about sending clips out for Teacher Appreciation Week.
Denise gave an update on the Internship Academy. There are 59 students placed for the fall. Of those, 20 will be in St. Louis, 3 in Sparta, and 2 in Cassville. The remaining students will be in the Springfield area. Fourteen of the current students have accepted jobs starting in the fall. Her department had a large program for approximately 200 area students planned that had to be canceled. The program coordinators are making a video to send to the schools involved to promote our college. Some of her faulty have volunteered to write personal notes to students who were going to attend Bear Partnership this summer. They will ask them to think about attending MSU/COE. Dean Hough suggested they include the link to the virtual campus tour. Her faculty would be happy to correspond to any student that will be missing out on SOAR this summer. She asked if she could get a list of names. Juli will email lists to the department heads and they can forward the information to their program coordinators.
Our college will not have its own virtual commencement for students. The university is still working on possibilities, one being during Homecoming.
Kim will be sending an email regarding certification to students next week. She asked about the MEES/MOCA waiver. She was advised to send two mails; one for those students have already passed and one for those who haven’t. Kim will work with Barri on the emails.
Rachel asked if it was confirmed that the university is modifying admission requirements for the fall semester. Dean Hough confirmed that the ACT/SAT scores will be waived for fall only. The minimum grade point average will remain at 3.25.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 am.
Submitted by Sharon Lopinot, Executive Asst. II