Comments on: “Voluntary Furlough” program announced

By: anotheralum

anotheralum — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:55:45 +0000

Did anyone hear anything about the letter sent out today by President Martin about deferred raises for three more groups of people on campus?

By: almost alum

almost alum — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:08:30 +0000

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.

By: Alum

Alum — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:19:46 +0000

The other interesting fact about the current score board is that Eastern could no longer purchase light bulbs for it.

By: Mark Higbee

Mark Higbee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:22:08 +0000

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.

By: Alum

Alum — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:30:47 +0000

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.

By: George Tirebiter

George Tirebiter — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:22:01 +0000

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?

By: emustudent

emustudent — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:12:49 +0000

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.

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:57:11 +0000

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.

By: emustudent

emustudent — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:55:11 +0000

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.

By: EMULifer

EMULifer — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:54:47 +0000

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.