October 18, 2001 Minutes

Mesa State College Faculty Senate

Minutes for October 18, 2001 Meeting

MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Acker, Barbara Borst, Jim Buckley, Mike Gizzi, Phil Kavanagh, Doug O'Roark, Gayla Jo Slauson, John Sluder, Cindy Thomas, Brian Udermann, Russ Walker, Carrie McVean Waring,

GUESTS: Jeanne Durr, John Fitzgibbon, Georgie Gerlach, Sam Gingerich, Andrew Gordon, Janine Rider, Paul Rowan, Hasson Tavossi

The meeting was convened at 3:30 pm by Senate President Doug O'Roark.

I. Discussion with Representative Gayle Berry

Representative Gayle Berry discussed a variety of topics with the Senate.

A) State of Colorado Budget Problems

Gayle reported that state officials expect the projected budget shortfall to increase from the current estimate of $310 million. The Joint Budget Committee just completed a plan to cut $390 million from the budget for capital construction and transportation projects, but neither of the two Mesa State projects underway (Fine Arts building, Walter Walker addition/remodeling) will be affected by these cuts. She expects that there will be little money available for capital construction in the next fiscal year (7/02 through 6/03) and that the various state agencies will not receive the full 6% budget increase allowed by law. It is unlikely that state money will be available in the near future for purchase of the Excel property near UTEC.

Gayle feels that it is unlikely that the legislature will refer to the people any measure that changes the Tabor amendment. However, she understands that there are other groups who are preparing ballot initiatives that would alter certain parts of Tabor.

B) Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Higher Education

One part of the panel's charge is to examine the funding of higher education in Colorado. The panel met for the first time in August, and sent a request to CCHE for information on each higher education institution. (CCHE in turn requested each institution to submit information on: history and vision; strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities; admission standards and access; student profile; region; programs of highest and lowest priority and centers of excellence; employment opportunities for graduates; market niche; and cost analysis and comparisons.) The panel will be hearing presentations from each institution on November 7, 8, 15, and 16. Mesa State makes its presentation on November 16.

The panel has hired a consultant named Tom Mortenson. Information on Mortenson's work can be found at www.postsecondary.org/home/default.htm.

The panel is also concerned with the high numbers of Colorado high school graduates who do not attend Colorado institutions of higher education. Many of these students do not attend any higher education institution. Gayle noted that if enrollment of these students increases, there may be impacts to our performance on CCHE's quality indicators.

Gayle anticipates that the panel's work will result in rewrites of many role and mission statements, with corresponding changes in funding. Governance changes will be discussed, but it is unlikely that many changes will be recommended.

C) Mesa State's Role and Mission

Gayle believes that Mesa State's mission is to fulfill community and regional needs for higher education. In particular, the residents of the Western Slope shouldn't have to travel to the Front Range to take "higher level" courses. She observed that whatever our revised mission turns out to be, it needs to allow us room for growth over the next twenty years or so. Gayle feels that if we push the concept now of being a "regional provider" that supports the local economy, we will be in an especially good position to prosper when the economy turns around.

Senate President Doug O'Roark stated that we have good communication between faculty and administration here at Mesa, and that there was wide participation in our recent effort to frame our vision. We have worked hard to reallocate funds internally so as to accomplish our objectives in spite of our limited budget. He observed that we have been responsive to the desires of the legislature and CCHE, and expressed our hope that state officials believe that we can be trusted to do the "right thing". Gayle said that our efforts have been noticed and that she is carrying that message to others. She pointed out that the current state budget situation wouldn't allow us to be rewarded with a large budget increase. She suggested that other incentives or rewards might be possible and asked us to think about what form those rewards might take. Two ideas that came up were lower barriers to creating new programs (e.g., B.A. in Spanish, Master's degree in nursing) and the ability to use seed money for new programs from industry and the community. Gayle encouraged people to continue thinking of rewards and incentives and to email her with any additional ideas.

D) Metro State College

Gayle will co-sponsor a bill in the upcoming legislative session to take Metro out of the state college system. The bill has not yet been drafted, but she will ensure that neither Mesa nor the other remaining colleges will be hurt by Metro leaving the system.

E) Transferability of General Education Courses and the "Common Core"

Gayle said that the requirements originally in the King bill for a "common core" were removed from the version of the bill that was passed. Her only expectation at this time is that a matrix will be developed to show course equivalencies between institutions. She asked us to let her know if more than this is underway.

II. Report from John Fitzgibbon

John Fitzgibbon, Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services, estimated that the state's budget shortfall may reach $500 million when the full effect of the September 11 events is felt. He stated that at this time there will not be a strict freeze on hiring and travel, but that we have to use good sense and position ourselves early for cuts that are likely to be needed later in this fiscal year. Reserve funds held by the Office of State Colleges will cover the initial 1% budget cut requested by the governor. It is unlikely that next year's budget will require reductions in this year's salaries, but a 0% increase in the salary pool is a possibility. John feels that it is too early to speculate on next year's budget, which will be affected not only by the economy but by enrollments and a new funding formula within the state colleges, as well.

A motion was made at 5:00 pm to adjourn (Slauson/Walker). The motion passed.