Regents say Southeast should revisit strategic plan in light of budget cuts

In light of nearly $8 million in budget cuts, Southeast Missouri State University should re-evaluate its goals, according to members of the university's board of regents.

During a meeting Thursday, the board was briefed on the procedure that will pinpoint budget cuts for the next two years.

"It's going to hurt, and you aren't going to like everything we have to do because I don't," said Southeast president Dr. Ken Dobbins.

The university's budget review committee decided to take a two-year look at projected budget shortfalls. The state has been using federal stabilization money to maintain its level of funding to public universities. As a result, by 2012, universities anticipate multimillion-dollar deficits. The university's $96.9 million budget includes $5.36 million in stabilization funds.

The review committee formed eight subcommittees to identify $2 million in cuts to areas like benefits, athletics and scholarship programs. University divisions, including academic affairs, athletics and finance and administration will also have to cut 5 percent totaling $3.95 million.

"I think we have two good teams here put together to address this," said board president Brad Bedell.

Board member James Limbaugh said the university should revisit its strategic plan, which was updated three years ago. Southeast's financial situation might change the direction of the university's goals, he said.

"It's different," he said. "It's different than where we were three years ago."

He said the university should streamline programming and avoid trying to be "all things to all people."

"Determine what you want to be and be it," he said.

The university has an evolving goal that has not been incorporated into the plan yet, said board member Albert Spradling III. The cuts do not account for the financial effect of Southeast's shared investment in a community college center in Cape Girardeau, he said.

Board member Reginald Dickson said the university will have to make the cuts while finding ways to enhance revenue. The actions are a result of a changing paradigm for all businesses affected by the economy, he said.

"Things aren't going to be the same ever," he said.

Provost Dr. Jane Stephens said three faculty positions will be cut and possibly more. Out of 25 vacant positions, 16 will not be filled, she said. The university has 410 full-time faculty, she said.

During the 2004-2005 school year, four programs and 17 faculty positions were cut, Stephens said. The process generated continued data collection on academic programming that will be used to enact the current cuts.

"On the other hand this process may lead to enhancing programs," she said.

Unless more cuts are requested, academic programs will not be eliminated, she said.

Other business

Separately, the board:

• Approved the purchase of an automatic generator that could provide utility services to a third of the campus. The university will apply for $430,000 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund the purchase and installation. The remainder of the $750,000 project will be funded through the university's maintenance and repair funds.
• Gave final approval of a partnership agreement with other institutions to establish a community college center in Cape Girardeau County.
• Increased fees for graduate coursework for professional development for teachers at public schools that contract with the university. The increases, the first in five years, will continue for five years.
• Approved a minor in substance abuse prevention.
• Approved a certificate in autism spectrum disorders.
• Eliminated the speech and theater program because of low demand. The action was taken to help gain accreditation for the Department of Theatre and Dance.
• Reappointed Dr. Gary Miller, director of the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts, as university representative on the River Campus Board of Managers. Kathy Mangels, vice president for finance and administration, was also appointed as the replacement on the board for retiring provost Dr. Jane Stephens.
• Accepted the annual financial audit conducted by Rubin Brown.

abusch@semissourian.com

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