Update #68

TO:	The CMU Community
FROM:	Michael Rao
SUBJECT:	CMU Update 68

To students, faculty colleagues, and staff who are new, the entire community joins me in welcoming you to Central Michigan University!  This is one of many regular updates designed to keep you informed.  If you are returning from summer, you may wish to review Update 67 also.

Welcome to New Members of CMU Board of Trustees

In June, Governor Granholm appointed Brian Fannon of Novi, chief operating officer of Sun Communities, and Jacqueline Garrett of Detroit, retired from the City of Detroit, to the CMU Board of Trustees.  Both attended the July Board meeting.  It is a pleasure to welcome them and I look forward to working with them.

State Budget Update

There is not yet a state budget for 2007-2008.  To close its 2006-2007 budget, the state deferred CMU’s August payment of $7.5 million and committed to giving CMU the appropriated funds in October, when the state’s new fiscal year begins.

An additional reduction from 2006-2007 state budget was $1.39 million.  Therefore, each division within CMU was required to permanently reduce its base budget by one half of a percent (0.5%). The vice presidents will identify these reductions by October.

CMU will continue to advocate for fair and equitable funding from the state on a per-student basis, particularly for in-state undergraduate students, and does not support separation of some universities in the state’s 2007-2008 budget.  Your advocacy again this year for equitable per-student funding for CMU and all universities continues to be critical.  More information is available at http://www.cmich.edu/govrelations/gov-relations.htm. 

CMU 2010

CMU 2010 progress report for August includes information on Key Performance Indicators and spotlights an effort to maximize financial aid to achieve enrollment goals.

Teacher Education Program Ranking

CMU’s teacher education program earned an "exemplary performance" rating from the state. Congratulations to Dean Adams and all of our faculty colleagues who contribute to teacher education on this accomplishment. For more information, please see http://www.news.cmich.edu/news/index.asp?id=2059.

Institutional Diversity

Please join me in welcoming Denise O’Neil Green to CMU as the associate vice president for institutional diversity.  Associate VP Green serves as the university’s chief diversity officer and is a senior officer representing the administration.  Much of her effort in her first year will be geared toward revising the Strategic Plan for Achieving Diversity.  A strategic plan review report was received earlier this year as part of the diversity charges I issued last December.  Summaries of the plans that have been reviewed and accepted may be found on-line at the diversity charges web site.  Also underway is a survey of racial/ethnic diversity at CMU.

Study Abroad Highlights

Study abroad experienced an increase of 22 percent in students going abroad for study, internships, and volunteer programs.  CMU students studied in 33 countries on 6 continents.  One hundred sixty nine study abroad scholarships were awarded by CMU in 2006-2007.

CMU was named one of the top 20 institutions nationwide to receive Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships for students who study abroad.  The Gilman Scholarships provide awards of $3,000-$8,000 and are offered through the U.S. State Department to students with financial need who receive a Pell Grant.

There are many other scholarships and professor-led study abroad opportunities.  Please contact Dianne DeSalvo at desal1ds@cmich.edu for more information.

English Language Institute

The English Language Institute provides English as a second language instruction to both degree and non-degree seeking international students at CMU.  Enrollment increased more than 40% for the academic year

Emergency Response at CMU

The Core Crisis Committee met regularly during the summer and continues to explore additional communication strategies in the event of an emergency, including threatening weather.  Discussions include a wide range of redundant notification systems to reach as many people as possible as quickly as possible. We hope to never need to use these systems and must be prepared for the reality that no system can guarantee 100% notification.

Earlier this year, a web site on Emergency Preparedness at CMU was implemented.  The site contains useful information to better prepare all members of the CMU community in the event of any emergency.

Senior Officer Positions

Dean Marvis Lary of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions is leaving CMU to return to Kansas and a dean position at Friends University in Wichita. 

We welcome Janine Janosky as she joins CMU as vice provost for research.  I offer my heartfelt thanks to Wayne Osborn for serving as interim in this role.

I also thank other senior officers continuing or taking on new interim roles:

Accessibility and Disability Advisory Council

The Accessibility and Disability Advisory Council (ADAC) charge and make up has been modified for greater focus and efficiency. Two-year goals have been established, which include:

• Conducting a survey to assess the campus climate and perceptions related to accessibility and accommodations, analyzing results, and making recommendations as deemed appropriate.
• Undertaking audits to identify critical issues and making recommendations relative to ways we can improve accessibility on campus.
  Learn more about ADAC at www.cmich.edu/ada

Information Technology Update

An 082807 update on the wireless and network maintenance and upgrades project is available (access to the page requires a CMU user ID and password). Wireless access is now available from all of CMU’s residence halls and apartments.

Professional Development Support Available

In March 2006, I established a fund to personally support professional development for faculty and staff as first referenced in Update 58.  I added another $15,000 of one-time money to the fund.  To provide assistance to as many as possible, the awards will continue to range from $100-$750, typically as a match for funds provided by the requestor’s department, college, or other source.  The awards will focus on national and international leadership opportunities, such as presentations at conferences or professional development activities that lead to well-cited publications in national and international journals.

Research Travel Fund

Also available through the president’s office is a research travel fund used to make one-time awards of up to $1000 for travel to pursue external grant funding.  Please visit http://www.orsp.cmich.edu/pdf/grantdev.pdf for additional information.

Recognitions

The Alternative Breaks program received national recognition in May as "Program of the Year." Congratulations to the CMU Volunteer Center and all those who made this award possible

Annual University Campaign

Faculty, staff, and retirees may support any CMU department, program, or scholarship by giving to the Annual University Campaign. The campaign begins October 15 and continues through December 7. CMU will match gifts and pledges made during the campaign with $1 for every $2 given. Please visit http://www.giving.cmich.edu/campaign.asp for additional information.

United Way Fund Drive

Consistent with the university’s fourth priority, to “provide service for the public good,” CMU will undertake its annual United Way Fund Drive beginning September 10 and running through October 13. This year’s goal is $100,000.