CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

October 27, 2004
 

TO:	The CMU Community
FROM:	Michael Rao
SUBJECT:	CMU Update 45

2005-2006 Budget Planning Underway

As we consider contingencies for the university’s 2005-2006 budget, there appears to be a range of possibilities. If CMU were to receive a reasonable increase in both state appropriations and tuition revenue for the 2005-2006 fiscal year, there would be less likelihood of budget reductions. With a small increase, no increase, or a decrease in the appropriation and a low cap on tuition increases, CMU would need to plan to reduce its expenditures by $5-10 million, which, when combined with the $29 million of cuts over the last four years, could have a very significant additional impact on services.

At this stage, each of the divisions is engaged in budget planning. By December, division reviews should be completed. In January, the annual capital budget and deferred maintenance budget requests and planning will commence. In February, center reviews and funding requests will start to be reviewed by the Budget Review Advisory Council (BRAC). In April, preliminary operating and capital budgets will be developed.

In the undesirable event that budget reductions involve personnel decisions for 2005-2006, the Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group (SSBAG) will likely be reconvened. SSBAG and BRAC recommendations would be submitted to the vice presidents and me next April or May.

In looking toward 2005-06, I hope to make some progress toward restoring regular faculty positions. While I do not anticipate being able to reach 700 positions in the upcoming year, I do believe that we need to move upward.

Budget Restructuring Review Committee Formed

Implemented in 1998, CMU’s current budget structure is a partially implemented model known as “responsibility center management.” In the upcoming year, the budget structure at CMU will be evaluated. A Budget Restructuring Review Committee has been charged with reviewing the current operating budget policies and procedures at CMU. The committee is expected to make recommendations designed to enable greater budget management effectiveness and connect spending with priorities. The committee will be supported by a number of subcommittees, which are in the process of being established. The committee is composed of the following members:

George Ross, co-chair, Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services
Thomas Storch, co-chair, Executive Vice President/Provost
Karen Adams, Dean, College of Education and Human Services
Ray Christie, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Administration
Jonas Cook, Associate Vice President, Financial Services and Reporting
Gary Dunbar, Chair, Council of Chairs
Maureen Eke, Associate Vice President, Institutional Diversity and International Education
John Fisher, Associate Vice President, Residence and Auxiliary Services
Carol Haas, Director, Budget and Planning
Angela Haddad, Chair, Academic Senate
Robert Kohrman, Dean, College of Science and Technology
Marvis Lary, Dean, College of Health Professions
Sue Ann Martin, Dean, College of Communication and Fine Arts
Thomas Moore, Dean, Libraries
Terry Rawls, Interim Vice President/Executive Director, ProfEd
Bruce Roscoe, Dean of Students
Gary Shapiro, Dean, College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences
Daniel Vetter, Interim Dean, College of Business Administration

Specific timelines for the committee and its various subcommittees are being discussed. The project should be completed with recommendations to me in June 2005.

U.S. Department of Commerce Grant Awarded

Last week, many members of the university community welcomed to the Mount Pleasant SmartZone Congressman Camp and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Sampson. Assistant Secretary Sampson presented to CMU a check for $2.152 million to be used to build additional wet lab space at the Center for Applied Research and Technology. Many thanks to Congressman Camp for his help in securing this funding as well as to the staff of the CMU Research Corporation, particularly Brent Case, Technology Business Development Manager, for their work in developing the grant proposal.

President’s Award for Diversity Excellence

The President’s Advisory Council on Affirmative Action and Campus Equity has recommended that President’s Diversity Excellence Awards be awarded to professors Joyce Henricks, Philosophy and Religion, and Mary Senter, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work. These annual awards were established to recognize CMU faculty, staff, administrators or units that have made outstanding contributions toward achieving diversity at CMU. Congratulations to professors Henricks and Senter for being the first recipients of this award.

Diversity Initiatives

Recruiting and retaining students from underrepresented groups is a campus-wide priority. As we continue to strive to ensure diversity on our campus, I am pleased to report minority student enrollment has increased each of the past four years. These students represent 8.2 percent of the entire student body.

The campus community is enriched by a number of notable programs and events this academic year. This summer, fifteen high school teachers from around the country spent five weeks on campus with Maureen Eke in her National Endowment for the Humanities seminar Writing Africa.

Seventeen minority students studied at CMU for six weeks this summer in the Academic and Career Empowerment Program (ACE). At its conclusion, all 17 students were admitted to CMU. The ACE program is strengthened through continuous mentoring, advising, and academic and career programs.

The Campus Diversity Forum this year focuses on the Brown v. Board of Education decision. On October 21, former Detroit mayor Dennis Archer, the immediate past president of the American Bar Association, initiated the conversations on Brown with a pre-forum presentation.

On October 27 from 6-9 p.m. in Plachta Auditorium, Fred. D. Gray, J.D., and Judge Matthew Perry, two distinguished historic civil rights lawyers will give the keynote presentation on their personal involvement in the Brown decision and Civil Rights, followed by discussion by a panel of national experts on the topic. The forum’s program will continue with faculty and students’ presentations on October 28 at the Bovee University Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The opportunity to see Mr. Gray and Judge Perry is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, of which I hope the entire community will take advantage.

October was filled with events and speakers on campus commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month. New Native American Programs Director Matthew Van Alstine has put together a full slate of activities for November, Native American Heritage Month, following the successful 16th annual Powwow in October. The university also recognized Gay and Lesbian History Month during October and National Coming Out Day on October 11.

I hope that all members of the university community will make time to attend these culturally enriching and historically significant events. 

Update on Vision Planning Process

The process of identifying institutional priorities as a follow up to the new vision statement continues. Results of an initial survey served as a basis for the electronic survey of all CMU employees and Board of Trustees members, 400 alumni and a random sample of CMU students. Please participate in the survey if invited and attend the open meetings that will begin November 17, 18, and 19 and watch http://www.provost.cmich.edu/viceprovost/visionplanning.htm for details about these open meetings. Thanks in advance for contributing your ideas to this important process.

Civility on Campus

Thank you for your support in respecting the rights of all to express their views, regardless of whether we agree with them. As the CMU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures (the Code) states, “Free inquiry and free expression are essential attributes of a community of scholars.” The Code also states, “Central Michigan University is an academic community which is committed to the preservation, communication and discovery of knowledge, and to the active pursuit of truth.” To be effective, those who speak may wish to consider a commitment to “the active pursuit of truth” in a civil and respectful manner. Those who react to those who speak may also wish to consider the same.

We can go further than just civility on campus to also taking care of ourselves and each other. Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe has started the Taking Care initiative, which focuses on making wise decisions and encouraging others to follow suit. The program is in the developmental stages, and assistance and input from the university community are needed. If you are interested in helping this cause, please contact Joe McCarthy by phone at 774-3346 or by e-mail at mccar1jj@cmich.edu.

Annual University Campaign Underway on Campus

This year’s Annual University Campaign provides an opportunity to participate in the historic New Vision of Excellence Campaign. All CMU faculty and staff, whether active or retired, have a great opportunity to support a campaign focused on student scholarships, supporting faculty research and creativity, enhancing facilities and technology, and strengthening ongoing and special programs. Last year, a record 858 donors contributed more than $521,000 to university programs. I am confident that we will surpass our three-year goal of $2 million. Please carefully note that this year’s Annual University Campaign runs October 18 through November 19—important dates associated with the university’s match of gifts.

United Way Fund Drive Continues

The United Way/CMU Fund Drive is also well underway. The original goal has been exceeded and the university community is making great progress toward a new $80,000 goal. More than $70,000 has been raised in donations from retirees, students, and other fundraising events. Thank you for your support and please consider making a contribution if you have not already done so. The fund drive has been extended through the end of October.

Griffin Forum

A pre-election Griffin Policy Forum, sponsored by Central Michigan University and Oakland Community College, was held last week at OCC’s Orchard Ridge Campus. The Griffin Forum, normally held on CMU’s campus, was moved to southeast Michigan to reach out to a broader audience. CMU’s Griffin program is funded by an endowment honoring Robert and Marjorie Griffin, both distinguished CMU alumni.

CMU vs. EMU at Ford Field

Thank you to Domino's Pizza for sponsoring the CMU Tailgate Reception prior to the Eastern Michigan University vs. Central Michigan University football game on Saturday, November 6, 2004 in Downtown Detroit. The CMU Tailgate Reception will start at 2:00 p.m. at Ford Field in the North Club Lounge. (Please enter Ford Field through Gate D.) For registration information for the tailgate reception, please visit https://ssl.cmich.edu/alumniforms/eventform.asp?param=3. The football game begins at 4:15 p.m.

Many thanks also to Ford Motor Co., DTE Energy, and SBC for donating the use of their Ford Field suites to CMU for use by the university’s major donors.

Facilities Management Department to Participate in Peer Review

The Facilities Management (FM) unit will be undergoing a comprehensive, peer-directed evaluation of its current operations. This evaluation program is a highly customized, personally tailored process conducted by members of the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA), and involves an in-depth Self Analysis as well as on-site interviews with senior officers, professors, staff and students. The outcome of this evaluation will be important to FM as it begins its strategic planning in March 2005. The evaluation is tentatively scheduled for the week of January 9, 2005, with the final report available by the end of February 2005.

Show Pride with CMU License Plates

All who value CMU and its successful graduates can show their pride by purchasing a CMU license plate, which features an official CMU logo and is available throughout Michigan. Please visit local Secretary of State offices to learn more about the CMU license plate.