By Melissa Dunson

mdunson@joplinglobe.com

Despite learning that her employer, Missouri Southern State University, had nearly $8 million in budget deficits over the past three years, Susan Simmons walked away from a staff meeting Tuesday with a smile on her face.

She learned that she was not losing her job as the coordinator of MSSU’s teacher education program, but that tough times are ahead for all the university’s employees. And she said she appreciated knowing both.

Simmons was among more than 100 MSSU staff members who attended a summit on the institution’s financial situation. The meeting also was staged, officials said, to dispel a rumor that the university would be cutting jobs.

After 19 years of working at the university, Simmons said, the candid financial information presented during the summit made her feel respected.

“I just feel valued, and it’s a very, very nice feeling,” she said.

Pat Lipira, head of the kinesiology department and former softball coach, said she also appreciated that the university’s finances were discussed so candidly during the meeting. It didn’t make her feel alarmed, but informed, she said.

“I think it’s important that this is not a secret,” Lipira said. “I appreciated the candor and openness in letting us know what’s going on.”

Bruce Speck, who was hired earlier this year as MSSU president, conducted two identical sessions of the summit Tuesday for staff members and will conduct another presentation when faculty members return in the next few weeks.

He laid out the university’s current financial situation, how it got there and what he wants to do to improve it. Speck said he wanted to present the information to dispel rumors, and to create a sense of teamwork and ownership within the university’s employee base.

“I didn’t bring you here today to talk about cutting jobs,” Speck said. “We’re choosing not to do that because we think it’s not a good idea.”

Speck said his goal is to maintain the current number of university employees despite the fact that employee compensation and benefits compose the university’s largest expense at $35.3 million, or 51.5 percent of total expenditures. But Speck said employees should be prepared to take on added responsibilities as some vacant positions will be left unfilled.

Last year, MSSU had revenues of $66.1 million but spent $68.5 million. Administrators made up the difference by dipping into the university’s bank account. The same thing happened during the 2006-07 year, but the deficit was $4.4 million.

That trend looks to continue, as Speck said the projected deficit for the 2008-09 year is $2.6 million. It cannot continue like that forever, he said. Reserves before the 2008-09 deficit is paid total $5.8 million.