I just got an email from “Office of the President,” and what OotP (aka Susan Martin) is discussing is various budgeting issues. Not a lot of details about how we’re going to make our way through this year, and almost nothing about next year, but there was this little nugget:
Despite the uncertain state funding, we can meet our objectives, but not without some sacrifice and “belt tightening.” The proposal presented to the Board includes a one-year pay freeze for the 100 highest compensated Administrative/Professional staff employees as well as deferral of merit-based pay increases from July 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010 for the balance of the University’s Administrative/Professional staff. Also, a one-year pilot voluntary furlough program is being implemented. Under this Voluntary Work Schedule Adjustment Program (VWSAP), subject to management approval, employees could choose a reduced work schedule and pay while retaining their benefits. Further details of this program will be provided by Human Resources soon.
It will be interesting to see if this program is voluntary next year or not. It’s also interesting that Martin and her suits are rolling this proposal out now just a few weeks after they put the brakes on the phased retirement plan where faculty work for one semester at a time for half pay– essentially, a voluntary furlough as a way to prepare for retirement.
It seems as though you missed out on the board meetings yesterday. A wealth of information was shared, very openly, I might add. The undertones of sarcasm I detect in your post might not be so prevalent had you been there.
Oh, I wasn’t trying to be sarcastic at all. I really do wonder if what is being presented as voluntary this year will be mandatory next. My guess is that it will move from being voluntary to required.
And I really do think it is kind of weird that the administration is all for this program for administrators but turned down a proposal for a voluntary phased retirement program that would have saved a lot of money. That doesn’t make a lot of sense, unless the administration just wants to tell the faculty “no” and/or unless they want to hold this as a bargaining chip for the next contract. Both of these reasons strike me as short-sighted and shallow.
So no, no sarcasm on my part. Just criticism.
I just feel bad for those 100 AP-nesses who are gonna have to scrape through the next year with their 2008-2009 6-figure salaries (signing bonuses not included). “Oh honey! Looks like we’ll have to be drinking the Le Montrachet instead of the Chateau Lafite! If only Obama hadn’t ruined the booming Bush economy in just a few short months!”
This means that the PT-nesses and AAUP-nesses will be asked to forego raises when contracts expire next July 1. You know, so we all suffer *equally* in these tough times.
Somehow, I think that they won’t be giving us 2008-2009 6-figure salaries to go with the package.
It also seems to me that the last time we got an “all of us need to tighten our belts” e-mail, athletics still ended up with a raise.
These types of programs are good PR before they lower the boom on everyone else. Let us not forget the new Prez is an accountant by background and the numbers look scary for next year. Asking someone making over a $150,000 to take a pay freeze is no big deal. It is interesting there is plenty of money available when going after a big name like the new provost and Ron English. I don’t think this looks good for the future and be prepared for new major cutback announcements. I think the honeymoon period may be over for Martin.
Sitedad, are you sure you have complete details on the phased retirement?
And how many PTs and AAUPers are making exceptional money?
To the comment made by tomg76; seems like you missed the board meetings yesterday too. This, on the website:
“EMU regents approve 25 new faculty”
Also in the approved budget:
1. There is a $2 million surplus left over from this year’s budget.
2. The Regents approved $3.4 million to build an indoor practice facility, mostly to be used for football, and a new football stadium scoreboard.
3. The Regents approved $800,000 to be used for Eagle Crest/McKenny/ and Signage.
And finally, tuition will be increased 3.83%.
Education first and ten! FORE!
And don’t forget we will begin construction shortly on a new $600k scoreboard for our football team. I sure hope the 5 to 6 thousand fans in attendance enjoy it.
Tirebitter – correction: tuition of 3.82% which, for a student taking 30 credits over the course of the academic year equals out to $10.26 per credit.
President Martin stated that “The budget and capital plan we are recommending today to the Board of Regents will put Michigan citizens back to work on our campus for the next three years with $81 million in facilities projects authorized for 2009-10, a plan for $63 million in 2010-11and $34.5 million in 2011-12. This multi-year initiative will revitalize our facilities and enhance our learning environment and campus.”
Having a $2M surplus is better than a $2M deficit. Do you run your home budget into the ground leaving no money?
Education is foremost…eighty-one million times over.
George, You conveniently left off the Mark Jefferson ($40 million) and Pray Harrold ($10 million) projects as well as the $2 million to buy Fletcher School for a new Autism Center. Sounds to me like Education IS First. Congratulations to all components of the university who will be upgrading their facilities.
Thanks Brad for the positive comments! It so easy to take a negative slant given all the history. But it’s just that…history. It’s in the past, cannot be reversed, it is irrevocably ingrained into the fibers of EMU’s history.
That said, administrators, dedicated faculty and staff are working ferverently to change history, forge new pathways in so many exciting and positive ways that cannot be denied. This includes updating/upgrading buildings desperately in need of repair, enhancing capabilities for faculty to continue exceptional instruction, improving athletics, encouraging student, administrator, faculty and staff attendance. Football isn’t the only sport at this university. Did anybody hear Dr. Gragg’s report on the outstanding athletes who have accomplished truly great feats?! If you haven’t heard his report, call him. I am sure he will gladly brag on these noteworthy students.
The university is moving forward with great enthusiasm. People here can choose to do one of two things; continue to be part of the problem or join in to be part of the solution. I personally will choose to work for solutions.
Funny, Brad, that you mention “facilities.” There are 14 bathrooms in Pray-Harrold that will be renovated in order to conform with ADA requirements. Walls will be moved outward in order to increase the square footage of the renovated “facilities.”
This means that classrooms and office spaces will have their square footage reduced. And just how much of that ten mill will be used up by just this “facilities” project? And how does making bathrooms ADA compliant further the educational mission?
OOOOOO! I know! How about “EMU! Flush with pride!” on some of the new signage?
The scoreboard at Rynearson will not be totally new. The old board will be gutted and new stuff added. In addition, the practice facility will accomodate football, soccer, baseball and softball. The facility will also be available for public rentals. All very modest as far as I’m concerned. The practice facility can not exceed $3 million. I am finally happy to see several items moved along by the Regents and the President. Everyone with a government job or a quasi government job should stop bitching. You have jobs. I have been cut back to 1 -2 days a week.
I agree with Alum on this — a $3 million dollar facility sounds pretty modest, and much less expensive than the $20 million project that was much talked about a couple of years ago. But if we’re going to have a new scoreboard, maybe we can one of these days put up some well designed directional signs on the campus that is actually used by tens of thousands of people. Newcomers are frequently lost on the campus, which does not produce a warm, friendly feeling.
The other interesting fact about the current score board is that Eastern could no longer purchase light bulbs for it.
How exciting is this? I just received this email. Should I be glad to know I’m not in the top 100?
To: AP Distribution List (not in top paid 100 roster)
This is just to confirm that you are NOT in the top paid 100 roster and can expect to be included in the merit increase process for January 1, 2010…..subject to the proviso that you must still meet standard program eligibility guidelines with respect to time in position and performance level.
Did anyone hear anything about the letter sent out today by President Martin about deferred raises for three more groups of people on campus?