2008 Woodie Awards
Board of Regents passes program cuts, increases salary
Ashley Edwards
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: News
The Murray State University Board of Regents met Friday to determine the details of the much discussed budget and program cuts the University had proposed to the Board in response to the $3.1 million loss in funding resulting from state budget cuts.
Despite the fact that several University programs were up on the chopping block, only the Commonwealth Honors Academy received a motion to be reinstated by Regent Beverly Ford. The motion fell flat after failing be seconded.
University President Randy Dunn said following the unanimous vote by the Board, the proposed cuts will be implemented starting July 1.
"No president wants to have to be in the position of having to recommend cuts to the Board, but given the financial hand we were dealt, with the loss of 3.1 million for the state appropriation, and the fact that we're still trying to keep tuition very affordable, we were able to do the $2 million in cuts," Dunn said. "Not that these aren't good programs or that they aren't important, they are, but we're able to do those cuts and still have teaching and learning, still have direct student services basically as good as it was this past year."
Another item on the budget agenda was the proposed $400 salary increase for faculty. The Board passed the motion unanimously.
Tom Denton, vice president of administrative services said all full-time employees will receive a temporary $400 salary increase for the 2009 fiscal year as a result of the motion's passing. Regular part-time employees will also see an increase of $200.
Dunn said the Board will take another look at the February 6 meeting to determine whether the increase is to become a permanent salary fixture.
"We will take a look at how we're doing financially in February and if things seem to be healthy and we're not suffering anymore give backs to the state and our financial situation looks to be fairly positive, what we would then consider doing is taking the $400 that each employee will be paid and … making it a recurring amount of money that they receive," Dunn said.
Faculty Regent Jay Morgan said he is concerned the low salary increase will result in the loss of good educators.
"I understand the financial climate we're under is strange right now from a lot of different areas," Morgan said. "I do have some concern about (the low salary increase) for the newer and younger faculty because they typically don't make as much. If they don't get a raise of at least the cost of living they're going to get frustrated."
Morgan said he expects more experienced faculty to get irritated at the low salary increase as well.
"(Faculty) could feel like this is a significantly lower increase than normal and they could be upset with it," Morgan said. "I think they'll understand but that won't make them any happier."
The Board will meet again on May 30 to adopt the budget according to the motions passed at Friday's meeting.
Despite the fact that several University programs were up on the chopping block, only the Commonwealth Honors Academy received a motion to be reinstated by Regent Beverly Ford. The motion fell flat after failing be seconded.
University President Randy Dunn said following the unanimous vote by the Board, the proposed cuts will be implemented starting July 1.
"No president wants to have to be in the position of having to recommend cuts to the Board, but given the financial hand we were dealt, with the loss of 3.1 million for the state appropriation, and the fact that we're still trying to keep tuition very affordable, we were able to do the $2 million in cuts," Dunn said. "Not that these aren't good programs or that they aren't important, they are, but we're able to do those cuts and still have teaching and learning, still have direct student services basically as good as it was this past year."
Another item on the budget agenda was the proposed $400 salary increase for faculty. The Board passed the motion unanimously.
Tom Denton, vice president of administrative services said all full-time employees will receive a temporary $400 salary increase for the 2009 fiscal year as a result of the motion's passing. Regular part-time employees will also see an increase of $200.
Dunn said the Board will take another look at the February 6 meeting to determine whether the increase is to become a permanent salary fixture.
"We will take a look at how we're doing financially in February and if things seem to be healthy and we're not suffering anymore give backs to the state and our financial situation looks to be fairly positive, what we would then consider doing is taking the $400 that each employee will be paid and … making it a recurring amount of money that they receive," Dunn said.
Faculty Regent Jay Morgan said he is concerned the low salary increase will result in the loss of good educators.
"I understand the financial climate we're under is strange right now from a lot of different areas," Morgan said. "I do have some concern about (the low salary increase) for the newer and younger faculty because they typically don't make as much. If they don't get a raise of at least the cost of living they're going to get frustrated."
Morgan said he expects more experienced faculty to get irritated at the low salary increase as well.
"(Faculty) could feel like this is a significantly lower increase than normal and they could be upset with it," Morgan said. "I think they'll understand but that won't make them any happier."
The Board will meet again on May 30 to adopt the budget according to the motions passed at Friday's meeting.
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