February 10, 2017 Special Session Minutes

Special Session on 'Budget'

In Attendance:

  • Amy Ackerson
  • Leigh Adams
  • Ed Birdyshaw
  • Cathy Boys
  • Melinda Denton
  • Bobbi Dykes
  • Ana Estrella
  • Alexandra Graham
  • Jim Hart
  • Phillip Howerton
  • Sherry McAfee
  • Jason McCollom
  • Renee Moore
  • Carla Neff
  • Gary Phillips
  • Joyce Pineda
  • Alex Pinnon
  • Jacob Poulette
  • Frank Priest
  • Tresa Ryan
  • Linda Risner
  • Dasha Russell
  • Brenda Smith
  • Cindy Smith
  • Rajiv Thakur
  • Jay Towell
  • Jerry Trick
  • Ben Wheeler

Call to order – 9:00 AM

  • Mission: Missouri State University-West Plains is a teaching and learning institution providing quality post-secondary educational opportunities to the communities, we serve.
  • Additions and Approval of Agenda: motion to approve agenda made by Jason McCollom, Bobbi Dykes seconds. Motion approved.
  • Approval of minutes from previous meeting: need to add following names to February 3rd minutes: Joyce DeWitt, Joyce Pineda, Lisa Wade. Cindy Smith moves to approve, Dasha Russell seconds. Motion approved. February 3rd minutes updated.

New Business

  • Opening remarks on budget discussion – The big picture - Rajiv Thakur
    • our budget process is more transparent and accessible, thanks to Institutional Analysis Committee
    • seeking common faculty consensus on budget cuts
    • faculty should remain and should continue to be active participants in the budget discussions—this is paramount
    • general remarks on campus spending on proposed amphitheater and Hass-Darr Hall and their relation to budget cuts
    • faculty discussion regarding teaching overloads
  • Institutional Analysis/Remarks on budget process - Joyce Jennings-Pineda
    • faculty must be aware of budget related guidelines in our Faculty Handbook; specifically, familiarize ourselves with the Financial Exigency Policy
  • Budget Priorities Committee - Ed Birdyshaw
    • discussed potential compromises regarding overloads
  • Division Chairs – Remarks on budget priorities and 5% cuts
    • Amy Ackerson
    • Judy Carr
    • Cathy Proffitt-Boys
    • Jay Towell
  • Per-Course Faculty Representative - Barbara Dykes
    • concern regarding new credentialing requirements for per-course faculty and how this will affect retention of per-course faculty and impact departments' ability to provide quality education
  • Faculty remarks
  • Budget: The Road Map
    • faculty created proposal for our share of absorbing budget cuts; Dr. Birdyshaw is composing the document to provide to Dr. Lancaster, Dr. Bennett and President Smart
    • Leigh Adams motion to vote on the document electronically within next week (due to short deadline and extenuating circumstances), Dasha Russelll seconds. Motion passes unanimously.

Announcements

  • Friends of the Garnett Library: The Footprint of the University on the Students in China, talk by Dr. Dennis Lancaster. February 10, Noon to 1:00 PM in Lybyer 104-5.
  • Executive Budget Committee Meeting scheduled February 10, 2:00-3:30 PM in Melton 112. All are welcome to attend.
  • Nominations for Faculty-Senate Chair Elect and Secretary are welcome until April 15.

Adjournment:

  • Rajiv Thakur motion to adjourn, seconded by Bobbi Dykes.
  • Next Meeting: Friday March 3, 2017, 9:00 AM - Noon (with Dean's Update).
  • Venue: TBA