subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Fri, Nov 27 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
email this story   E-mail this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Globe/Roger Nomer Bruce Speck (left), president of Missouri Southern State University, chats with Harry Greninger on Tuesday after giving a presentation on the school’s financial situation. Speck said a trend of deficit spending must come to an end.

Published July 22, 2008 09:17 pm - 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.

MSSU president lays out plans to trim spending



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.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Announcements


Click here to VOTE!!

Click here!!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!


Featured Jobs

TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED

for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930.
...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

2003 SATURN L200
4 door, 4 cylinder, 127,000 miles, $4495. 417-434-0925...>MORE

OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE

FORD, 1997 F150
V8, automatic, extended cab, high miles, $2600. (417)214-0145....>MORE

2005 FORD FOCUS
4 cylinder, 5 speed, 134,000 miles, $3495. 417-434-0925...>MORE

2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT
loaded, 1 owner, 94,000 miles, nice. (417)385-7755...>MORE

2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO

to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double
...>MORE

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE

3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE

(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE

SCHNAUZERS
one white puppy, one registered silver adult female, one white adult male. (417)437-0300....>MORE

ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE

POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE

YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE

REWARD $50,000 REWARD

Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged
...>MORE

DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE

POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE

INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition