MU program and job cuts: 40-page document details rationale
University of Missouri officials have posted a 40-page document that breaks down the rationale for budget decisions by college and division.
Back in May, Interim Chancellor Garnett Stokes asked each college or division to reduce its budget by 12 percent.
MU spokesperson Christian Basi said the document is a general summary of what areas the school is going to be investing in and what areas they have to cut.
UM System President Mun Choi has repeatedly said that all four campuses must invest in programs of excellence. Basi said the university identified its weaknesses and is working to eliminate them while also making strategic investments.
For example, the Trulaske School of Business is saving money by restructuring administrative staff but they are also investing in three new degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in business administration online degree that will begin in August 2017.
Here are some additional highlights from the budget document:
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Safeguarded Initiatives:
-study abroad scholarships and undergraduate research programs
-research support, including a new core facility in geological sciences
-efforts to recruit faculty from underrepresented groups
-general education that supports the entire campus
-college development office
Investments:
-new on campus degree programs, including marketing of digital story telling
Cuts or Reductions:
-reduce chairs/directors in college by three
-consolidate staff positions
-eliminate St. Louis based external relations positions
-eliminate some emphasis areas within degree programs based on low enrollment
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Investments:
-engaged IMG/learfield for more proactive approach to ticket sales
-strategic investments in men’s basketball team to generate revenue in ticket sales as well as exposure for the institution
-aggressively pursue investments in men’s basketball program to generate additional revenue
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Safeguarded Initiatives:
-protect capacity to protect health and safety of MU students traveling abroad for academic purposes
Investments:
-investing in improving MU’s international student experience
Cuts or Reductions:
-eliminated several graduate assistant positions
SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
Cuts or Reductions:
-rehiring for retirements
-hiring adjuncts
-offering GTAs
-consolidation of course sections
-fewer course offerings
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Cuts or Reductions:
-eliminate 16 positions
-reduce travel and other expense
-reduce consultant expenses
-reduce transcription costs in clinical areas
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Cuts or Reductions:
-eliminated 83 FTE in FY2018 through attrition and layoffs; will continue to scrutinize open positions
TRUMAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Cuts or Reductions:
-converted dean position to director
-eliminated associate dean position position
-eliminated one TT faculty position
-reduced two senior level positions to assistant professor positions
-reduction of GRA stipends
Here’s the full budget document: https://chancellor.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Rationale-For-Budgets-By-College-Division-Public_060717.pdf
