Staff Advisory Committee to the President
July 12, 2001, 1:30 p.m.
Members Present: Wanda Carpenter, Benny Davis, Denise Dillon, Colleen Harris,
Michael Hooper, Diane Klein, Tammie McMillan, Mark Reagan (presiding), and Tiffany Short.
Others Present: President Robert Bell, Sue Pogue, Terri Watson.
Remarks by President Bell
Budgetary Freezes: The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) put budgetary freezes in place on Wednesday, July 11, 2001. While these current freezes are in place, decisions will still be made at the campus level. The Budget Advisory Committee that includes the President and Vice Presidents of the University met to discuss the freezes and directives for exceptions. Deans are scheduled to meet at a later time. The goal of the University at this time is to remain flexible within the guidelines set by TBR. The guidelines given are very flexible despite the wording of the memo. If the freezes had been initiated by the legislature, guidelines would be less flexible.
Within two weeks, it is expected that the legislature will have gone home utterly defeated having made no progress in tax reform or state funding. It is anticipated that the tobacco money will be utilized, postponing a major 560 million-dollar problem for another year. Taxes could be placed on automobiles and a few other things like that in a series of band-aids that will not hold for very long, but will allow the legislature to adjourn for this session. The Senate could come back into session this afternoon to debate the House of Representatives’ proposal and probably pass a budget by tomorrow. At this point, it will not be a good budget, but the significance of the problem is unknown at present.
After the budget is passed, the TBR and Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) will meet next week to determine fee structures for next year and make the announcement of a fee increase. Parents have been anxiously waiting to hear the fee structure during the past few weeks. Presently, the THEC’s position on fees is to recommend a 15 percent increase. If the TBR concurs with the recommendation, Tech’s fees will increase along with other Board of Regents institutions. While the increase will not allow for prosperity, the University can operate through the next year with the increase and a not-too-disastrous budget appropriation.
We expect the freezes to be lifted by July 31, 2001. Without the fee increase, we anticipate that the situation will become even more austere July 31, and we will be in a very difficult budget situation the entire year. The bottom line is that these freezes are flexible. What that means is deans/directors will not make decisions that would normally be made at the dean or director level. The bottom line to the Chancellor’s memo is that exceptions cannot be delegated. Only the President has the authority to make exceptions to each of the freezes that has been put into effect.
The hiring freeze is immediate for all vacant positions for which the screening process has not been completed, but exceptions are likely for positions already in the interview process or scheduling stage. All new requests to fill positions should be held at this time. Presently, student workers will not be affected by the freeze.
Out-of-state travel should be cancelled unless the expenses have already been paid for, if it relates to fund raising, or if an employee is presenting at a meeting or serving as an officer of the group for which an out-of-state meeting is scheduled.
Expenditures for consulting contracts, professional services, and equipment (other than purchases from the technology access fee) should be frozen on new and proposed contracts. Exceptions are appropriate where contracts already exist.
Regular office supplies and other purchases are frozen with exceptions being made only when the order is necessary for operation. Requests for exceptions to any of the freezes must be submitted in writing to the President via the appropriate vice president for consideration.
Enrollment: We expect this to be a very good year as far as enrollment goes. Depending upon the final pre-registration numbers for transfer students, we may exceed the largest new student enrollment numbers ever recorded at Tech.
Trends and analyses indicate that over the next ten-year period the
Southeast is expected to grow between 10 to 15 percent in higher education
enrollment. The state of
Other Suggestions and Questions
Memorials/Honorariums for First Ladies: A suggestion was made that something be done for the First Ladies of the University. A small ad-hoc committee has been formed to review what other universities have done for their First Ladies. The ad-hoc committee will submit several recommendations for review. Donna Russell will represent the Staff Advisory on that committee.
Regarding the TV sets in
Hats for Groundskeepers: Per Terrell Key, the University will purchase a hat for any groundskeeper who requests one for use in working outdoors on campus. Facilities also purchased sunscreen for use by those workers who work outdoors in the sun.
TBR Quarterly Meeting: The TBR met at
Meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m.
<-- Back to Staff Advisory Committee
Last Updated: September 16, 2003
For more information, contact TWatson@tntech.edu
