Southeast Missouri State University
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REGENTS TO CONSIDER DECLARING FINANCIAL EMERGENCY AS THEY HAMMER OUT FY03 OPERATING BUDGET

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., June 11, 2002 - The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents will meet June 12 and will consider declaring that a financial emergency exists as it grapples with hammering out a fiscal 2003 University operating budget. The Board will consider many cost-cutting measures and a few fee proposals to cope with a 10 percent base budget reduction in the University’s state appropriation for the year beginning July 1 and a last minute $4 million reduction in the University’s fiscal 2002 appropriation.

The Regents will meet at 1:30 p.m. in Glenn Auditorium of Robert A. Dempster Hall. Prior to the meeting, the Board, at noon, will tour the new residence hall currently being completed on the east side of Henderson Street between Broadway and Normal.

The University’s Board of Regents is faced with difficult budgetary decisions. In fiscal 2002, Southeast’s state appropriation was reduced by $7.2 million or approximately 17 percent. To balance the fiscal 2002 budget and to cope with the last minute $4 million reduction in May, Southeast used all of its “Rainy Day Reserves” of $2.9 million and $1 million held back from the fiscal 2002 budget that the University was going to use to balance the fiscal 2003 budget.

The University also is faced with a $5 million base budget reduction for fiscal 2003.

The Board will consider approving a $77.1 million budget for general operations and budgets for all auxiliary departments totaling $25.3 million. The auxiliary budgets include funding recommendations for a number of self-supporting enterprises, including Residence Life, Telecommunications, the Student Recreation Center, the University Center and Textbook Services.

The Regents will consider acknowledging that a financial emergency exists which cannot be managed except by a reduction in personnel. The declaration of a financial emergency was recommended unanimously by the Budget Review Committee and the Faculty Senate last week. At the same time, the Regents will consider approving targets for spending reductions established in a proposal to balance the University’s fiscal 2002, 2003 and 2004 budgets.

In order to meet the shortfall, the Regents will consider approving several special program fees, including:

  • $250 per semester for students enrolling in communication disorders and nursing graduate programs;
  • increasing the incidental fees for dual credit and dual enrollment by high school students to 55 percent of the regular incidental fees;
  • increasing off-campus fees by $2 per credit hour for courses beginning in fall 2002 and by an additional $2 per credit hour in fall 2003;
  • a $6 per credit hour surcharge on all Southeast credit courses except for dual credit and dual enrollment, beginning with fall 2002 and continuing through spring 2004;

In another budget-related decision, the Board will also consider a motion to close the University on Monday, Dec. 23, since it is the only day of work that week. Whether this day becomes an involuntary unpaid furlough day or a energy conservation day will be determined by the Regents at their October meeting.

In other budgetary action, the Regents will consider approving capital appropriation requests for fiscal 2004. The requests include $21.8 million for upgrades to the science complex and $22 million for interior and exterior renovation of Academic Hall. Future projects, in accordance with the campus master plan would include renovation of Kent Library, renovation of the Grauel Building and Memorial Hall, renovation of the Art Building, renovation of Brandt Hall and the Scully Building, and repairs to the tunnel system.

Also on the Regents’ agenda is a motion to consider adopting a Faculty Senate Bill revising the University’s merit pay system for faculty. In other action, the Board will consider approving: a resolution of honor for the Southeast Baseball team which won the Ohio Valley Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Baseball Regionals; conferring of degrees for 2002 spring commencement; a master of public administration degree with an option in health and leisure; and an engagement letter for the annual audit.

The Board will hear a report from the President, which will include reports on distribution of fall 2002 need-based aid, University Relations marketing and publication awards; and contracts and Facilities Management projects. Board members will receive informational materials, including the Department of Public Safety Annual Report and the Alumni Signal.

A motion to go into a closed session for appropriate considerations will be the final item of business on the agenda. When the open session reconvenes, the final item on the agenda will be consideration of a motion to adjourn.

 

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