By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com
Pittsburg (Kan.) State University will embark on a mission to save green by going green.
Facing a $5 million budget shortfall due to declining state revenue and increased costs, the university plans to compensate by incorporating sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives into the core of the campus.
That was the message conveyed Thursday by the university’s president, Steven Scott, during his address to the faculty before the start of the new school year. Classes start on Monday.
“From the curriculum to recycling, to purchasing, to solid waste disposal, university vehicles and the construction of new facilities, we’ve got to take a more responsible approach to what we do,” he said. “We must adopt an ethic of conservation ensuring our activities have minimal impact on the planet.”
Scott addressed the faculty in Overman Student Center. Remarks also were made by the faculty senate president, a representative of the faculty association, the president of the faculty union and the university’s provost. Department heads introduced more than 60 faculty members who are either in new positions or newly hired.
Scott said he is directing the university planning office to reopen PSU’s master plan and add a goal of sustainability.
“Through the planning process is really how you get it institutionalized,” he said. “If you look at our brand-new construction, there are elements of it that are green, but there’s no way you’d say that green permeates our thinking up to this point. Going forward, we’ve got to move on that.”
Although the expectation is that the university will be asked to “spend less money and serve more students,” Scott’s prediction for how PSU will survive the budget crisis is: “We’re going to grow through it.”
“I don’t mean we’re going to grow in enrollment, although we probably will,” he said. “What I really mean is our institutional capacity to handle adversity will grow. The character of this institution will be challenged, and will grow stronger.”
Some members of the faculty who were interviewed after the meeting said they support Scott’s agenda.
“We are totally committed to support him,” said Ananda Jayawardhana, associate professor of mathematics and president of the faculty senate. “The (budget) crisis gives us opportunities. Opportunities for new technology, new teaching and new ways of doing things.”
Missouri Southern
Missouri Southern State University President Bruce Speck addressed the faculty during a meeting Wednesday. Classes start Monday for MSSU students.
Speck outlined several objectives for the university during a 90-minute PowerPoint presentation.
He introduced Brad Kleindl as Southern’s interim vice president of academic affairs, and said that the search for a full-time replacement should be completed by January.
Speck also lauded the completion of the Beimdiek Recreation Center, which he said will be “a tremendous recruiting tool.”
“When parents and kids come to campus, they will say ‘wow’ because it’s a wow experience,” he said.
Speck said he anticipates another tough year with the school’s budget. MSSU trimmed $1.3 million last fiscal year, in part by eliminating two athletic programs.
“Fiscal year 2011 will probably be our toughest budget year,” he said. “We were fortunate to have government support (this year), but given the way the economy is going, I doubt we will get that again.”
