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Update #61
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITYOFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
July 31, 2006
| TO: | The CMU Community |
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| FROM: | Michael Rao |
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| SUBJECT: | CMU Update 61 |
2006-2007 State Budget
The latest news from Lansing on the higher education budget for 2006-07 is that CMU will receive a 2.9% increase which is $2.3 million, an appropriation of $3844 per student. While CMU appreciates a modest increase in state appropriation for next year, the university remains $10 million below its appropriation of five years ago. Meanwhile, the university’s costs for salary and benefits, retirement, and utility costs alone are expected to increase by more than $15 million next year. The university has continued to assume modest enrollment growth to accommodate an increasing student demand for higher education in Michigan.
The university can only benefit from continued support of its many constituents who write to legislators and the governor to encourage their commitment to equalize funding among similar universities. For information on our continued campaign, please visit http://www.cmich.edu/govrelations.
CMU 2010 Request for Proposals
The Strategic Planning Committee announced a second Request for Proposals (RFP) as part of the 2007 fiscal year (FY07) CMU 2010 funding cycle. For detailed guidelines regarding this second call, please visit the CMU 2010 web site at http://www.planning.cmich.edu. As part of the first round, eight FY07 projects were funded and are underway. One exciting project was the North American Indigenous Summer Enrichment Camp (NAISEC), when 25 Native American 8th through 12th graders lived in Kulhavi Hall and were introduced to university academic processes and cultural life. Information about other FY07 projects can be viewed at http://www.planning.cmich.edu/FY07/FY07FirstCall/FY07-Awards.htm. Also exciting is the fact that units throughout the university have begun to align their planning with the CMU 2010 vision and priorities.
Campus Connections: SAP Campus Management Update
CMU’s new student information system “went live” on July 5. Following months of work by many on campus, CMU has transitioned from the previous ISIS system to Campus Management (CM). This conversion, which entailed transferring approximately 50 million pieces of data, was accomplished with
remarkable efficiency. CMU is optimistic about the capabilities of CM as it partners well with the existing SAP financial information and human resources systems, and positions the university to enhance technology in support of educational and business activities.
The successful launch of CM is the result of many individuals and offices. It is not possible to publicly recognize all the people who have had significant roles in this. There are, however, a few people who deserve to be singled out and thanked openly for their work and commitment to this project:
It is anticipated that there will be some challenges as people become familiar with the new terminology and techniques. Patience and understanding are requested. Campus Management will continue to be developed and refined in the months ahead and your input and involvement will be appreciated. Additional information on the system is available at http://www.sap.cmich.edu/cm/default.asp.
Budget Restructuring Review Committee Concludes Work
In mid-May, the Budget Restructuring Review Committee (BRRC), co-chaired by Provost Storch and Vice President Ross, forwarded recommendations to me based on the committee’s work over the past year and a half (http://www.budget.cmich.edu/brrc/BRRC Recommendations to Rao.rev.pdf). I have accepted their report and disbanded the BRRC (which was one of their recommendations). We are grateful for the efforts of all of the BRRC members and to all in the university community who provided feedback to them regarding the Ed Whalen report or the development of future budget principles. An additional recommendation of the BRRC that I have accepted is the continuation of what was formerly the Interim University Budget Advisory Council. This council will continue on a permanent basis as UBAC and will continue to include the chairs of the Academic Senate and Council of Chairs as members. The recommendation to add the Chief Information Officer/IT as a member has also been accepted. For more information about UBAC, please see http://www.budget.cmich.edu/IUBAC.html. Several BRRC recommendations are continuing to be studied by UBAC subcommittees, who will provide reports to the full UBAC membership this fall. Update 57 discussed in more detail the work of the BRRC and Interim UBAC.
Broomfield Road Safety Project Continues
As mentioned in Update 52, I have been very concerned about the safety of pedestrians and vehicles on Broomfield Road for years. As such, I am pleased with the safety improvements that are underway. The Broomfield Road project includes the construction of “Michigan left U turns,” relocating a portion of East Campus Drive to a safer location (away from Mission), upgrades to the traffic signal at West Campus Drive, and the installation of a pedestrian activated traffic signal at the main crossing to Rose Arena and the Student Activity Center. This work is scheduled to be completed soon.
Please visit http://fmgt.cmich.edu/pep-summer-2006.html for more information about other current construction projects.
Personnel Changes
I offer thanks to Vice Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies Jim Hageman as he leaves CMU for a position at the University of Colorado. Jim has been an asset in the process of strengthening research and research funding at CMU. With Jim’s departure, welcome to Professor Wayne Osborn, who will serve as interim vice provost for research. Thank you to associate dean Gail Scukanec, who has assumed responsibility as interim dean of graduate studies. Searches for both of these permanent positions will start in the fall.
Congratulations to Roger Rehm, whom the provost appointed Vice President Information Technology/Chief Information Officer.
Affirmative Action Officer Michael Powell was recently named by Provost Storch as the interim associate vice president for institutional diversity. Michael will perform these duties, in addition to continuing his Affirmative Action position, while a national search is conducted in the fall.
Athletic Director Dave Heeke named Ernie Zeigler, formerly an assistant at UCLA, as CMU’s next head men’s basketball coach.
I also offer my gratitude to Terry Rawls who departs CMU this week after a lengthy interim term heading ProfEd (off campus programs). Terry will lead a new institution in Washington, DC. While the search for ProfEd’s top position did not produce an appointment, the search will continue immediately while Catherine Riordan will serve as its interim chief.
NCAA Athletics Certification Received
CMU received notification in May that the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification has certified its athletics program as a member with one condition. This classification means that CMU is operating its athletics program in substantial conformity with NCAA Division I operating principles. The one condition is that CMU is expected to submit a plan that includes action steps to improve graduation rates in its men’s basketball program. This certification follows a rigorous self-study during 2004-2005 in three primary areas of governance, academic integrity, and equity/welfare/sportsmanship, and a certification visit in September 2005.
Student and Colleague Honors