Comments on: No really– there’s a $5.8 million surplus http://emutalk.org/2009/11/no-really-theres-a-58-million-surplus/ Talk for and about Eastern Michigan U. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:04:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: sitedad http://emutalk.org/2009/11/no-really-theres-a-58-million-surplus/comment-page-1/#comment-59622 sitedad Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:18:34 +0000 http://emutalk.org/?p=1832#comment-59622 Lamont, I'm not entirely sure who to believe and/or I'm not sure that both Moeller and my "suited friend" aren't both correct. It is true that John Lumm passed out a description of the budget that indicates there is a $5.8 million surplus. But it might also be true that this surplus might be misleading in terms of EMU's financial health. And the definition of EMU being in "good shape" financially is, I assume, a matter of some debate. So I don't know. I will say this: in the previous administration and during the last faculty strike/"fact finding" exercise, the EMU-AAUP clearly had more accurate data regarding finances at the institution. However, I also think it's fair to say that the current EMU administration has a better handle on our books. At least it looks that way.... Lamont, I’m not entirely sure who to believe and/or I’m not sure that both Moeller and my “suited friend” aren’t both correct. It is true that John Lumm passed out a description of the budget that indicates there is a $5.8 million surplus. But it might also be true that this surplus might be misleading in terms of EMU’s financial health. And the definition of EMU being in “good shape” financially is, I assume, a matter of some debate.

So I don’t know.

I will say this: in the previous administration and during the last faculty strike/”fact finding” exercise, the EMU-AAUP clearly had more accurate data regarding finances at the institution. However, I also think it’s fair to say that the current EMU administration has a better handle on our books. At least it looks that way….

]]> By: Mark Higbee http://emutalk.org/2009/11/no-really-theres-a-58-million-surplus/comment-page-1/#comment-59619 Mark Higbee Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:43:38 +0000 http://emutalk.org/?p=1832#comment-59619 One can simultaneously "spin" and report facts. Indeed, if spin means simply being persuasive, that's what nearly every effective communicator does: we present information with the aim of shaping opinion or behavior or both. There's no doubt EMU has a surplus this year. That's good news, isn't it? ENrollment is up for the first time in about 5 years, and that's terrific news. There's also almost no doubt that the state of Michigan will inflict huge budget cuts on EMU and other universities in the next year or two. This should be plain to anyone who really watches state government, and who realizes how much of this year's state budget is based on Obama stimulus money. It's also pretty plain that, to date, EMU lacks any mechanism for making strategic budget decisions. So panic driven decisions may well be back before too long. And if you're in touch with what high school juniors are being told by the college advisors, the newest and biggest influence on college choice decisions is CollegeResults.org. Look it up, and weep. For two decades, status quo mismanagement has domianted this campus, and the piper is coming to collect his dues. One can simultaneously “spin” and report facts. Indeed, if spin means simply being persuasive, that’s what nearly every effective communicator does: we present information with the aim of shaping opinion or behavior or both.

There’s no doubt EMU has a surplus this year. That’s good news, isn’t it? ENrollment is up for the first time in about 5 years, and that’s terrific news.

There’s also almost no doubt that the state of Michigan will inflict huge budget cuts on EMU and other universities in the next year or two. This should be plain to anyone who really watches state government, and who realizes how much of this year’s state budget is based on Obama stimulus money.

It’s also pretty plain that, to date, EMU lacks any mechanism for making strategic budget decisions. So panic driven decisions may well be back before too long.

And if you’re in touch with what high school juniors are being told by the college advisors, the newest and biggest influence on college choice decisions is CollegeResults.org. Look it up, and weep. For two decades, status quo mismanagement has domianted this campus, and the piper is coming to collect his dues.

]]> By: tomg76 http://emutalk.org/2009/11/no-really-theres-a-58-million-surplus/comment-page-1/#comment-59618 tomg76 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:06:45 +0000 http://emutalk.org/?p=1832#comment-59618 The real issue is when the state budget cuts come through and they will. Everything is a mirage right now. Hiring a lot of high priced administrators and football coaches before the shoe drops. The real issue is when the state budget cuts come through and they will. Everything is a mirage right now. Hiring a lot of high priced administrators and football coaches before the shoe drops.

]]> By: Lamont Cranston http://emutalk.org/2009/11/no-really-theres-a-58-million-surplus/comment-page-1/#comment-59617 Lamont Cranston Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:58:14 +0000 http://emutalk.org/?p=1832#comment-59617 Dear Sitedad: In your "Three of the many reasons why money confuses me" piece from October 30, 2009, you stated the following: "Earlier today, I was talking with a suit-type who I trust who basically said that what Moeller was saying wasn’t completely true..." Since you now see that the EMU-AAUP numbers are correct, have you reassessed your assumption that this "suit-type" can be trusted? Dear Sitedad:

In your “Three of the many reasons why money confuses me” piece from October 30, 2009, you stated the following:

“Earlier today, I was talking with a suit-type who I trust who basically said that what Moeller was saying wasn’t completely true…”

Since you now see that the EMU-AAUP numbers are correct, have you reassessed your assumption that this “suit-type” can be trusted?

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