Periodic Updates - Update #61
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
July 31, 2006
TO:
The CMU Community
FROM:
Michael Rao
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
