University Budget Commission Meeting Minutes

Date: Monday, March 27, 2017

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Location: Ullsvik 1510 Foundation Office Conference Room

Officers: Charles Cornett (Chair), John Hammermeister (Vice Chair), Christopher Baxter (Secretary)

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Present: Charles Cornett, Mike Compton for Christopher Baxter, Susan Hansen for John Hammermeister, Jeff Hoerning, Rosalyn Broussard, Lindsay Hollingsworth, John L. Berg, Dawn Drake, Todd Carothers, Patrick Hagen
Absent: Lisa Merkes-Kress, Cathy Riedl-Farrey, Hannah Muehlenkamp
I / Opening of the Meeting
1.  / Call the Meeting to Order 3:00 p.m.
2.  / It was moved by Drake, seconded by Broussard, and carried to approve the minutes of Monday, February 27, 2017
II / Reports and Announcements – No announcements or reports
III / Unfinished Business / Presenter
1.  / Media Studies Suspension Action
Discussion was initiated by Todd Carothers regarding involvement of RCM budgeting in program level decisions, which focused on the fact that the RCM budget model does not roll down to the program level. Deans should use Student Credit Hour and allocated costs information with enrollment trends when making decisions regarding program retention/investment. A handout providing Media Studies enrollment trends, class structure was distributed and discussed. It appeared questionable when looking at projected enrollment if the program would be self-sustaining after 2018.
The following questions were addressed.
1.  Cornett, “What is the status of the four tenured Media Studies faculty?” Hansen replied that the talents of the four faculty are being used in other programs that need additional FTE.
2.  What is the status of existing students majoring in Media Studies? Hansen replied that most students have found other options that work, and a few were dismissed.
3.  What was the number of students possibly coming in fall 17? Hansen replied that five or six students were admitted in the program for fall 2017.
Other comments: Major investments are required for equipment, etc. in order to provide high quality instruction for Media Studies. Based on the current enrollments trends it is unlikely that these investments in technology could be supported.
MOTION: It was moved by Drake, seconded by Broussard, and carried unanimously to suspend Media Studies program, based on enrollment projections, necessary infrastructure investments, overall revenue projections with associated costs, and the ability to utilize faculty in other areas of higher demand. / Charles Cornett
2.  / OTHER
Membership status of Cinda Furry and James Almquist:
Dawn Drake asked for an update on the membership status of Cinda Furry and James Almquist. Cornett replied that there was an error in the process that will be addressed in August. [The Bylaws Committee acted upon the wrong document for the General Faculty Meeting in Jan 2017, Faculty Senate has asked the Bylaws Committee to act on the full document in order to address membership at the Aug 2018 General Faculty meeting.] Dawn Drake requested that the minutes recognize Cinda Furry and James Almquist for their outstanding service even though they have not been integrated as full members of UBC.
Future agenda items:
Dawn Drake requested that the following items be placed on a future agenda during spring 2017.
1.  Enrollment status of MS in Computer Science
2.  Investment in External Relations
3.  Report back on internally funded pay plans
4.  Update on Administrative cuts
V / Close Meeting
1.  / The next meeting is Monday, April 10, 2017 in Ullsvik 1510
2.  / The meeting adjourned at 3:33 p.m.

Submitted by Mike Compton (Secretary Proxy)

The University Budget Commission meets on an as needed basis for more information. For more information, please see the University Budget Commission (UBC) website. The agenda is composed of items from many sources and come from many resources, if you wish to have an item placed on the agenda, please submit it to a Senate officer. The meetings are open to the public university staff are invited to attend.