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FISCAL ADVISORY Fiscal Advisory Committee October 21, 2007 Notes (Approved November 8, 2007)
Present: Staff: Becky Emery, Jackie Eberts, Lucy Hearn, Faculty: Jerry DeRidder, Jo Laird, Doug Dewitt Student: Mark Comaty Administration and Finance: Greig Mitchell, Alan Selser Senate President: Elizabeth Curtin
The meeting was called to order by Becky Emery, co-chair of the 2006-2007 committee. Current members introduced themselves. Two faculty positions were still vacant: (1) Fall, 2007 sabbatical replacement for Tim Dunn and (2) 2007-2008 yearlong replacement due to Bob Long’s retirement. The website will be revised to reflect the current membership.
Meeting times will occur on the second Thursday of each month at 3:30 for the fall semester as follows: November 8 and December 13. The location of the meeting will be announced.
For the last few years, the committee has been involved with establishing and implementing a supplemental funding process that seems to be working. The administration accepted the forwarded recommendations. The committee has been involved with understanding the budget process at both the university as well as the state level. The committee has tried to work within the budget timeline established for the committee a few years ago. Greig Mitchell noted, however, that items for FY 2009 were submitted due to deadlines. The Board of Regents (meeting at UMES) supported the governor’s tax package. Greig indicated that now is the time to look at initiatives for the following year, including examining the president’s institutional goals and priorities, revealed during a PAT meeting this fall. The provost is also heading up a strategic planning initiative that will probably use a steering group that may work with the FAC as well as other groups. Administration and Finance has already done a current services budget, which, hopefully, will carry forward our operations at the current level to meet our needs. The governor still wants to constrain tuition. In addition, we are being asked for an enhancement budget (examples: increased enrollment funding, supplemental funding based on state current interests, climate change initiatives, etc.) This would be helpful funding, if accomplished. There is a push for the development of science and math teachers as well as scientists. However, there is also a need to develop a plan for a system wide reduction, should it be necessary. SU took in more students, we did get money, but we did not get what was projected. Although the funding was less than we hoped for, it appears that all institutions did not get what they hoped for, falling under the same process for their cuts as we did.
Alan Selser presented the FY 2009 budget estimate on paper. It reflects an increase of almost $6,000,000 and includes the TETC operating and other mandatory costs. This budget estimate assumes either a 4% tuition increase or the equivalent in general funds as tuition replacement.
Becky Emery and Jo Laird will co-chair the committee this year. Becky will run the meetings, and Jo will help with clerical duties and the website.
One thing that came up last year was the provost’s interest in conducting budget workshops (for lack of a better word). This would include faculty and staff department heads and would be geared toward exploring campus-wide issues (problems and initiatives). It is unclear at this time how this would include the Fiscal Advisory Committee or how it would dovetail with the strategic planning initiative of the provost. Becky will contact Tom Jones for clarification.
Jo Laird asked Elizabeth Curtin about the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate needs a bylaws change for the committee to be official. Becky noted that it would be helpful if the two committees could work together. Recognizing that placing faculty on committees has been difficult, it was envisioned that dual membership may be possible. At this point, Elizabeth will be attending the Fiscal Advisory Committee when she can.
Greig Mitchell spoke for a few minutes on the “green” initiatives that are affecting campuses system wide. Word from central administration of the USM suggests, “Anything that’s not ‘green’ will not be built.” Furthermore, there is discussion of creating a “sustainability committee” on the campus that would address anything that reduces hydrocarbons. Beacon and the SBDC are already assisting in a carbon inventory. A campus wide input mechanism will probably be necessary to assist with the sustainability initiative. The Building and Grounds committee of the University Forum could be that conduit. Additionally, Greig will bring this up at the Faculty and Staff Senate meetings in the near future. However, this is not just about building and grounds, it is about changing attitudes and behavior as well. There is actually a statement from the American College and University Presidents related to a Climate Committee. For detailed information, please visit the following website: http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/html/commitment.php
NOTE: Since this meeting, SU President Dudley-Eshbach has signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. The first action required under this commitment is to develop the organizational structure and committee or committees within the University to Carry out the program.
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