Update #69

TO:	CMU Community
FROM:	Michael Rao
SUBJECT:	CMU Update 69

State Budget Update

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. Thankfully, both payments were received as scheduled. Nonetheless, while new revenues passed by the legislature and governor will be realized by Michigan immediately, the university will watch closely revenue projections for the state during the fiscal year that started in October.

The 2007-2008 state budget just approved includes a total appropriation to CMU that is $442,600 less than the amount originally appropriated last year. It will be presented that higher education received a 1% across the board increase but that is a partial restoration of what was taken away late in the 2006-2007 fiscal year. An additional $151,000 has been included in the bill for the Indian Tuition Waiver program, bringing CMU’s total appropriation to $81.9 million for 2007-2008. However, lawmakers included all 15 public universities in one funding bill rather than two.

The university remains focused on the ever-important per-student funding issue. Though CMU is the state’s fourth largest university, it receives the fourth lowest appropriation per student. Per-student funding will strengthen the state’s diverse higher education landscape, guarantee equitable resources to undergraduate students no matter which university they decide to attend, and provide appropriate opportunities for Michigan students. Please visit http://www.cmich.edu/govrelations/ for the most current information and to learn how you can help advocate for higher education funding.

Vice President Positions

Julia Wallace and David Burdette will both join CMU on January 7, 2008, in their respective positions of executive vice president/provost and vice president for finance and administrative services. Both possess a broad range of experience. It speaks well of the university community that it was able to attract such experienced leaders to CMU. Thank you to the members of the search committees for their invaluable assistance.

Upon their arrival, Gary Shapiro and Barrie Wilkes will return to their positions as dean of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences and associate vice president for financial services and reporting. I offer sincere gratitude to Gary and Barrie for their dedicated service to CMU during their interim appointments and look forward to continuing to work with both in the future.

Safety, Respect and Civility

Reported incidents on campus in recent weeks targeting specific groups of people have prompted me to reflect on the apparent decline in respect displayed for certain members of our community.

On at least two occasions this month, written material was distributed on campus expressing improper generalizations about people based on their ethnicity, gender, or religious beliefs. Rather than dignifying the deplorable actions of a small number of individuals, it serves as a reminder to us all to maintain an ongoing open and appropriate dialogue on issues associated with respect, acceptance, and inclusion.

On a university campus, freedom of speech provides the opportunity to listen and learn from opposing viewpoints, and to disagree in a civil manner. Central Michigan University is a staunch advocate of free speech, a right we all cherish. But the university abhors the actions of those who use constitutional freedom to condemn individuals or groups based on their identity. I am austerely offended by, and opposed to, such statements. Intolerant and discriminatory views are not values appreciated by the university.

I am especially concerned about apparent anonymous attempts to intimidate my colleagues and others by the inappropriate placement of handbills in their offices. This is a clear violation of Article III of the university’s Advocacy Policy, which addresses the distribution of printed material. The CMU Police Chief has been notified about this activity and has assured me that his department is investigating the matter. If ever you believe that you are the target of harassment, threatening behavior, or do not feel safe, contact the CMU police immediately.

Information Technology Networking Project Update

An update on the progress of the university-wide networking project is available. Installation of wireless access in residence halls is complete and significant progress is being made with academic buildings. This month’s update includes Phase III of the project – the projects scheduled for spring.

Annual University Campaign

The Annual University Campaign continues through December 7. To date, more than 280 donors have contributed in excess of $216,000 towards the $600,000 goal. When you make your gift or pledge during the Annual University Campaign, the university will match your gift at $1 for each $2 donated. To learn more, please visit http://www.giving.cmich.edu/campaign.asp.

Recognitions

• Vice President Kathy Wilbur was selected as one of only nine 2007 inductees into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame (she is one of the four Contemporary Division Honorees.) Congratulations, Kathy!
• For the fourth consecutive year, CMU's ACS chapter has been selected by the American Chemical Society to receive the Outstanding Recognition Award. The ACS will honor only 20 student groups from 900 peer societies for their solid organizational foundations of community service and group participation.
• Congratulations to the Public Relations and Marketing staff on winning two CASE V awards—a silver award for Excellence in Print Advertising and a bronze for Best Institutional Web Site.
• Novi junior Dan Church has been appointed chairman of the National Broadcasting Society's Student Advisory Council, serving as a liaison between the student members of NBS and the organization's National Advisory Council.
• For the sixth consecutive year, and tenth time overall, CMU Athletics has been awarded the Mid-American Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award.
• The BCA produced television program, “3 Dull Guys”, won First Place in the Best Comedy category at the CBI National Production Competition. This competition had over 400 entries from across the country. “3 Dull Guys” was produced by Kevin Corbett’s BCA 490 class. Another program, “Central View”, was a finalist in the Best General Entertainment Category.