Present at Meeting:
Sylvia Kuhlmeier, Mozella Jett, Elizabeth Grisham, Caitlin Crouse, Deborah DeWitt, Sophia Skinner, Rogers Taylor, Diane Basom, Alexandra Graham
Call to Order:
Alexandra Graham called the meeting to order.
Approval of Minutes:
Mozela Jett made a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Elizabeth Grisham seconded the motion.
Chancellor Update:
- Three campus community budget forums are scheduled for Nov. 12 at 9 am, Nov. 16 at 4 pm, and Nov. 30 at 4 pm. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend either the Nov. 12 or 16 sessions, as these are brainstorming sessions to generate ideas for possible budget cuts. On. Nov. 30, Chancellor Bennett would like as many students, faculty and staff as possible to attend to bring to conclusion the results of the first two meetings. Each session will take approximately one hour; all sessions will take place in Melton Hall Room 112.
- National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 1 Women’s National Volleyball Championship tournament will be held November 18-20 at the West Plains Civic Center arena.
- The Grizzly Basketball team is ranked 10th in the nation with a record of 3-0
- United Way Campaign is in underway. Return your pledge card to Cheryl Caldwell by Dec. 3 to be included in a drawing for an assortment of prizes.
- Dr. Bennett reviewed budget reduction/saving ideas given at Executive Council
- Raise tuition, possibly $5 to $8. This could bring in an approximate amount of $150,000. The last tuition raise was in 2006.
- Cut departmental budgets across the board by 1%. A saving of $16,000 to $20,000 dollars could be realized.
- Reduce institutional scholarship by 10%. A saving of about $20,000 to $25,000
- Cut specific departments – example of athletics given
- Hire more per course faculty in place of hiring additional full-time faculty
- Raise the cost of tuition for online courses
- Merge jobs and job duties
- Take care of yourself – stay home if you are sick and do not drive when road conditions are hazardous due to weather conditions
Old Business:
New Business:
- Caitlin Crouse reported that the Staff Senate fund balance is $243.33
- Elizabeth Grisham reviewed and handed out a summary sheet on the timeline, rationale and guidelines of the conferral of an honorary degree from MSU-West Plains
- Auction item entries are due by March 1 in order to be published in the catalog. Elizabeth Grisham distributed a flyer with details of the annual auction inter-department contest. Workers will be needed at the auction – complimentary entrance to the auction.
- Reminder: Development needs to know if groups are soliciting members of the community.
- Alexandra requested that staff review the link to a possible commencement speaker, Shaun Hayes. http://www.stlcommercemagazine.come/archives/october2007/cover.html
- Mozilla’s famous Thanksgiving Lunch will be Monday, November 22. All you can get for $5.00