|
|
Published July 19, 2008 06:32 pm - New Missouri Southern State University president Bruce Speck is calling the school’s staff and the public to an economic summit Tuesday to discuss the state of the university’s finances, how the school got there, and what needs to be done to improve the situation.
MSSU president to discuss cost-cutting measures
By Melissa Dunson
mdunson@joplinglobe.com
New Missouri Southern State University president Bruce Speck is calling the school’s staff and the public to an economic summit Tuesday to discuss the state of the university’s finances, how the school got there, and what needs to be done to improve the situation.
“It’s not simply that I’m going to fix things,” Speck said. “It’s important we work together as a team.”
Speck has been studying the university’s finances since he arrived at his post early this year. Some of his first orders of business were a series of meetings with the finance department to discuss why the school was spending more than it was making. Through those meetings, Speck said he realized the Board of Governors did not have a clear understanding of all the issues affecting the university’s bottom line.
Speck said the board has been responsive to his suggestions for cutting costs. Among those are looking at alternative ways to fund scholarships and changing the way they are given and halting cost-of-living raises for faculty this year. He said thermostats have been raised to 75 degrees this summer and lights and computers are being turned off after hours.
“Those aren’t the things that are going to save us the millions, but every time we do that, we chip away at (the problem),” Speck said. “This is a major shift in how we do business. It’s about behavioral changes and people coming up with their own ways on how we can save money.”
Besides informing staff of new fiscal policies, Speck also hopes the economic summit shows the surrounding community his commitment to transparency, and allays fears of staff cuts.
The meeting on Tuesday will include a question-and-answer portion and an open mic for people with questions or concerns. Speck said he does not plan to cut positions as part of this shift in fiscal policy, but may not fill some vacant positions, which, he said, would affect the workload.
Speck’s ultimate goal is for the college to have $10 million in reserve funds. He also wants the entire organization to make sure the money is available before spending it, and to increase enrollment. He estimates it could take two years of belt-tightening to bring the school to that point, but he expects to see big results by next year.
“People need to understand that there are better days ahead, but we have to change the way we do things,” Speck said. “It’s not a quick fix.”
During his previous stint at Austin Peay State University, Speck said he helped the administration deal with a 20 percent reduction in revenue over two years.
“I sat around a conference table and made difficult decisions, but Austin Peay came out of that with a tremendous growth spurt,” Speck said. “I know what it takes to get through this. It’s not pleasant, but it’s what we’ve got to do. There’s no question about it.”
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
 |
|
CMA NEEDED
CMA needed, part time. Whispering Pines, (417)781-0099....>MORE
DAYSHIFT POSITION AVAILABLE
at Moe’s Southwest Grill. Apply within. 781-6637....>MORE
EXPERIENCED CUSTOMER SERVICE PROFESSIONALS
Fast growing company seeks experienced customer service professionals for its Joplin location. Must be reliable and poss...>MORE
HIRING GRAND LAKE MENTAL HEALTH
-HIRING- GRAND LAKE MENTAL HEALTH CENTER MIAMI CLINIC. Psychiatric Social Rehab Specialist –to provide services for ...>MORE
DRIVERS TEAMS
DRIVERS TEAMS OWNER OPERATORS, DEDICATED LANE Thru home often. California to Indianapolis. Fuel surcharge to $3.50/gallo...>MORE
RESIDENTIAL STAFF
RESIDENTIAL STAFF, Part-time position for evenings, midnights and weekends working with women and children that receive ...>MORE
SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Part-time, flexible schedule. Ozark Center is currently seeking part-time Speech Language Therapists to work with autist...>MORE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Ozark Center is currently seeking a part-time Occupational Therapist to work with autistic pre-school age children in ou...>MORE
PAYROLL COORDINATOR
Payroll COORDINATOR, Ozark Center is accepting applications for a Payroll Coordinator. This full time position is resp...>MORE
OPTOMETRIC OFFICE
OPTOMETRIC OFFICE has opening for a full time assistant, optometric dispensing experience required. Duties include prete...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2008 FORD F-150
Super Crew, 4x4, Limited Edition, leather, alloy wheels, sliding back glass. $25,000. Please call (417)673-5277 or (417...>MORE
MAZDA 1993 B2200
pickup, 71,808 actual miles, 5 speed, $2500. (417)850-5548...>MORE
NISSAN 2003 MAXIMA
NISSAN, 2003 Maxima, 80,000 miles, 1 owner, all records, immaculate, loaded, silver, black leather, priced to sell. ...>MORE
JEEP 2001 CHEROKEE
4x4, 4.0 liter, automatic, 2 door, $3000. (417)850-5548...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2-3 BR, SOUTH JOPLIN
2-3 BR, south Joplin, immaculate, partial financing. 417-782-4238 or 417-499-6645...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
5 br 2 ba, 3200 Sq.feet, beautiful historic district, 1302 S. Main, Carthage. Saturday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.(417)793-...>MORE
See all ads |
|
WANTED TO BUY GOOD USED MOTOR
wanted TO BUY, good clean used motor home from a private party. Please call Larry in Carthage MO (985)290-8122 sanct2@gm...>MORE
E-Z GO GOLF CART
E-Z-GO Golf Cart, new batteries, excellent condition, $1400. (417)673-2111....>MORE
BOXER PUPPIES
boxer PUPPIES, AKC, flashy fawn female, white females with one or two patches on eyes, white male. Dew claws and tails a...>MORE
WING BACK CHAIRS
WING BACK chairs, (2) new fabric, blue/green/red print, $250/pair. 529-8461....>MORE
LEATHER COUCH
overstuffed chairs from Furniture Row, coffee table, 2 end tables, sofa table, new $3,000, all $1200; cherry kitchen tab...>MORE
2005 CHROME DENALI WHEELS
2005 CHROME DENALI WHEELS and Goodyear tires, 1/2 tread, 265/70 17”. Must sell. 417-825-3737....>MORE
AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Mom with education background,providing after school care Oronogo 499-9822....>MORE
2 MALE GOLDEN RETRIEVERS
to a good home free. (417) 529-6963...>MORE
SHIH-TZU FEMALE
10 weeks, AKC, shots, dew claws removed, $340. (417)717-0430....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|