Meet and Confer March 3, 2003

         Meet and Confer Notes
          WSU Faculty Association
                   Monday, March 3, 2003, 3:00 p.m.

0. Additions or Deletions

Previously Scheduled:

1. Request for '05 Budget Projection

2. MnSCU and Online Academic Programs

Additions:

3. Vice President of University Affairs

4. Sabbaticals

5. Orientation Director

6. Additional Information

1. Request for '05 budget projection

In light of the understanding that the governor's budget calls for (or allows) tuition increases of 15% in each of the years of the biennium, faculty reps requested a FY05 Budget Scenario similar to the FY04 Budget Scenario dated 2/18/03 (12th Draft), which would reflect tuition increases of that size.

Administration Responses/Comments:

1. Chancellor was not sure if the Board would approve a 15% tuition increase.

2. 1% tuition increase ~ $1/4 M for WSU.

3. Perhaps a tuition of greater than 15% will be needed in FY05.

4. WSU has enough reserves to counter the $1.25M deficit.

5. Some institutions (perhaps CC's and TC's) might not ask for a 15% increase.

6. The MnSCU Board might be against three-years-in-a-row double-digit tuition increases.

7. Rising Medicare costs could make matters worse.

2. MnSCU and Online Academic Programs

President Krueger received a letter from the Chancellor, requesting to seek approval from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to offer programs of study that would be made available to students through Minnesota Online via distance education technologies. The understanding is that institutions retain the authority to award the degree or credits. The only SU offering an online program is Metro. The deadline for Dr. Krueger to sign the letter is 3/4/03.

3. Vice President of University Affairs

All classifications in the administration area were re-done by MnSCU last year. One position (HR/AA/SHO) was under-classified (as a 7) according to Dr. Krueger's opinion and so he personally appealed to the Chancellor's office for a re-ruling. The HR/AA/SHO position has now been re-classified as a Vice President of University Affairs. This position also has other duties assigned by the President.

The administration announced the list of sabbaticals. Only mandatory sabbaticals were granted.

D. Bratt asked if large departments can be re-considered and be given non-mandatory sabbaticals, since larger departments might be able to handle sabbaticals.

The administration believed that all faculty are essential. With bad budget problems, the administration believes in not making classes any larger than they already are. Furthermore, having larger classes would decrease the variety of class section times. Student interests are preserved first and foremost. The administration also felt that there would be an equity issue if only some non-mandatory sabbaticals are granted. WSU became the last SU in the system to approve only mandatory sabbaticals.

The present Orientation Director will not be returning to WSU. The administration will be soliciting a new Orientation Director. This will be an internal search with similar format as the previous searches (with faculty participation). Barb Oertel (present co-chair) will be coordinating the assignments until a new director can be found.

The administration provided a two-sided sheet listing different budget scenarios/impacts. This first-draft could be a potential hand-out to legislators to demonstrate our budget problems. The expected target for new first-year students for next year is 1,550.

WSU will be sponsoring a Senate Higher Ed. Committee meeting on March 18 (T) 5-7 p.m., Somsen Auditorium. Announcements will be made to fill the Auditorium in an adequate manner.