Southeast regents OK fees increases, terminate business program

Southeast Missouri State University officials discussed measures ranging from temperature controls in buildings to changes in employee benefits, and approved fee increases and the deletion of a business program.

The board of regents met Thursday and had a lengthy discussion regarding a $7.76 million budget reduction over the next two years.

In some cases the board approved actions and in other instances gave direction on how to proceed. The regents will meet again at 8 a.m. today in Glenn Convocation Center to discuss its strategic plan.

The board approved the following changes recommended by budget review subcommittees:

• A $5 increase in undergraduate and graduate application fees to $30 and a $5 increase in international application fees to $40. The fee will be charged for students applying for admission for the summer of 2011.
• A $15 application fee for returning students. The charge will be applicable in spring 2011.
• An increase in the late fee on inactive accounts. Students will be charged $10 plus 1 percent of the outstanding balance.
• A value reduction of the Regional Achievement and Southeast Family Achievement awards, which cater mostly to students in Illinois. Starting fiscal year 2012, recipients will pay in-state incidental fees plus 25 percent of that rate. The change is a 13.6 percent cost increase and will yield $391,110 in savings over the next two years.

In December, eight budget review subcommittees were set up to review items like benefits, program fees and scholarships. They were charged with cutting $2 million. Thursday the subcommittees collectively outlined plans for $1,019,464 in cuts. A 5 percent cut across university divisions yielded an additional $3.989,987. The university previously cut 39.25 faculty and staff positions, 19.5 of which were filled.

For employee benefits, the board recommended hiring a consultant to resolve issues with dependent coverage. Because the university's insurance policy only covers employees, recruiting is difficult and families find other coverage, said Kathy Mangels, vice president of finance and administration.

Business program cut

In other business, the board went against a Faculty Senate resolution in approving the deletion of a business program. The Management Information Systems program was identified through an academic review process approved by the board in 2003.

After a study on the program through the department, it was recommended for removal based on lack of interest among students. Majors dropped by 75 percent from 2004 to 2009. The cost per major, $5,031, exceeds college and university averages by about $3,000. The program cost also exceeds the revenue by $100,000.

Southeast provost Dr. Ronald Rosati said he sought legal advice to make sure the correct procedures outlined by the review process were followed. Regents said the matter was timely because the university is working to cut its budget and voted to continue with eliminating the program.

"The facts don't change by delaying it," said regent Albert Spradling III.

The Faculty Senate voted Wednesday to recommend delaying the decision because it went against procedures outlined in the faculty handbook.

Faculty Senate chair Dr. Stephanie Chamberlain said the 2003 process approved by the board does not outline actions regarding the termination of faculty.

Because the two policies conflict, she said the Faculty Senate wanted to delay decisions regarding the program.

"In the meantime we have some people caught in the squeeze," she said.

Board president Brad Bedell directed university president Dr. Ken Dobbins to resolve differences between board-approved motions and the faculty handbook, especially those concerning financial emergencies.

Because juniors and seniors will finish the program, Rosati said, the college will determine which courses will still be taught. Actions regarding faculty positions will be decided by the end of the semester, he said.

The university notified and is working with the freshmen and sophomores who will not be allowed to complete the program, Rosati said.

"I think we're taking care of people," he said.

In other business, the board:

• Approved rental rates for nontraditional housing and room and board rates. Room and board rates increased by 2.93 percent, which compares to 4.77 percent last year. Rates vary by residence hall. Nontraditional housing rates at the Washington Street apartments increased by 3 percent.
• Approved $6.45 million in repairs and improvements to the Towers Complex.
• Approved the following academic programs: master of arts in public history, master of arts in career counseling, bachelor of science in commercial photography, bachelor of science in agricultural education, graduate certificate in facilities management, graduate certificate in heritage education, graduate certificate in historic preservation, bachelor of science in business administration and post-master's graduate certification in family nurse practitioner.

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