College of Health Sciences

Minutes for CAC Meeting

March 30, 2009

 

Presiding: Dr. Denny Ryman

Recording: Donna Eichhorn

 

The College Administrative Council (CAC) met in the Dean’s Conference room from 4:00-4:55 p.m. Dr. Ryman called the meeting to order.

 

In attendance: Dr. Denny Ryman, Mr. Brett Bennett, Dr. Johanna Boult, Dr. Jessica Dolecheck, Ms. Donna Eichhorn, Dr. Judy Fellows, Dr. Florencetta Gibson, Ms. Beverly Jarrell, Dr. Paxton Oliver, Ms. Debbie Wisenor.

 

1.       General Budget Information (Dean Ryman)

·        There is a projected $12.4 million budget cut for the university. 

·        COHS budget will be cut by $800,000. 

·        The dean’s current preliminary proposal reflects a $730,000 decrease in budget.  Dean Ryman will work with the provost to determine where the remaining cuts will come from.  The proposal will be presented to the University Reduction Committee Tuesday, March 31.

 

2.         College of Health Sciences Preliminary Proposal for Budget Cuts (Dean Ryman)

·        A copy of the preliminary proposal for the college budget cuts was distributed to CAC members. 

·        The preliminary proposal includes 50% cuts in operating and supplies budgets for all departments, re-alignment of the undergraduate SLP program under a Health Studies concentration, and layoffs in some positions.   

·        These cuts will be in place for at least the next 2 years, with possible further cuts anticipated in three years.

3.         Additional Budget Information (Dean Ryman)

·        Dr. Oliver and Dr. Fellows will each be teaching one course per year or semester to accommodate the budget cuts.

·        The university is not planning to implement furloughs or financial exigency.

·        Departments need to look at increasing foundation funds to help with travel, supplies, etc.

·        Funding for next year’s accreditation for Nursing and CLS will be available

4.         Discussion of Budget Issues

·        Dr. Oliver expressed support for the dean’s preliminary proposal.

·        Mr. Bennett asked if the information requested by Sandra Barton regarding numbers of applicants and application fees was related to budget cut issues.  Dean Ryman stated that funds from application fees could not be cut from departments.

·        Dean Ryman asked Dr. Gibson if Nursing had received their application fee money. Dr. Gibson stated that she was still waiting on a response to her request.

·        Dean Ryman discussed how the re-alignment of the undergraduate SLP program will be very complicated.

·        Dr. Boult stated that although the re-alignment would be difficult, she appreciated the effort that went into keeping what could be kept in the college budget.

·        Ms. Wisenor asked when the proposals would be finalized. Dean Ryman stated that no final budget numbers will be available until July 1.

·        Dean Ryman discussed how although there are some significant high-cost projects currently ongoing in the COHS (Dental Hygiene bus, Mobile Health Unit), these come from different budgets consisting of external funding.

·        Dr. Fellows reminded CAC members that all requests for information by the media must first go through Laura Harris in Media Relations.

·        Other colleges are having general faculty discussions about budget issues.  Dean Ryman stated that he prefers department heads to discuss the issues with their faculty members first.

·        Dr. Dolecheck discussed the need to re-schedule the COHS Budget Committee meeting until university budget committees meet further.  Dean Ryman would like the COHS Budget Committee to be updated on his preliminary proposal.  Dr. Dolecheck will e-mail committee members regarding the need to re-schedule.

 

Dean Ryman and Dr. Oliver expressed appreciation for the professions represented by the departments in the college.

 

Dean Ryman will keep CAC members updated.   If any possible media coverage results in additional questions, he encouraged CAC members to contact him.

 

 

  Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.