Latest entries in Live Blog: January 2011 Board of Curators meeting
Follow The Maneater's coverage as the UM System Board of Curators meets at MU on Thursday and Friday. The board is the governing body of the four-campus university system, which includes MU, UM-Kansas City, UM-St. Louis and Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Jan. 28, 2011
Board of Curators meeting adjourned
After approving increases on both tuition and course fees, the Board of Curators have gone into closed session, thus concluding the public session of its Jan. 27 and 28 meetings.
This was the final board meeting in which curators Doug Russell, David Wasinger and John Carnahan will serve.
Check the print edition of the Maneater later today for an in-depth story on the board's tuition decision
Board submits approval on having no more than two curators per congressional district
Curator Judith Haggard recommended an approval on a proposal from Thursday that would submit the Board of Curators' support for a bill that would restrict having more than two curators per district.
Her proposal passed unanimously.
Amended course fee increases passed
More controversial among the board was the decision to increase specific course fees, notably the College of Business’ suggested rise from $35.50 to $70, a 97 percent increase.
After a few amendments, the board agreed in a 6-2 vote to pass a recommendation that increases fees half of the suggested increase this year. The other half will be raised next year.
This means, this year, the College of Business will increase course fees by $17.30, or 48.7 percent; the School of Journalism will increase course fees $9.30, or 22.5 percent; the School of Health Professions will increase course fees $10.20, or 18.6 percent; and the College of Engineering will increase course fees $7, or 11.7 percent. All remaining course fees at MU will rise 6.5 percent.
These same increases will be applied again next year.
“No one’s going to leave this room happy,” Curator John Carnahan said, referring to the several amendments it took to get this notion passed.
Curators pass tuition increase recommendation
The Board of Curators passed the UM System's recommended tuition increase in a 5-3 vote.
As a result, the average tuition and required fees increase across the four-campus System will be 5.5 percent. At MU, tuition and required fees will rise 5.8 percent. This amounts for an average cost of $8,917 at MU, an increase of $488.
Curators Don Downing, David Wasinger and David Bradley voted against the proposal. Up next for voting is the course fee increases.
Downing, Goode proposals fails in 3-5, 2-6 votes
Curator Don Downing tried to create a measure that would lower the tuition increase average to 5 percent, but this was killed with a 3-5 vote.
He had discussed this idea in the meeting yesterday.
Goode attempted an amendment that would allow administrators to increase tuition "up to" the amount presented to them. This was shot down with a 2-6 vote.
The final vote on tuition should come momentarily. Stay with the Maneater for updates.
Deaton addresses MU’s health initiatives during Chancellor’s Report
Like the other three UM System campus chancellors, MU Chancellor Brady Deaton detailed MU’s health initiatives during his Chancellor’s Report.
Deaton highlighted programs such as the Master of Public Health, which is the second program of its stature in Missouri and the only at a public university in the state. He said it is vital to national and international security.
“We drew on the major strengths that we, as a large university, had,” Deaton said.
The School of Medicine has hired 134 new medical faculty members since July 2009, and MU trains more Missouri physicians than any other university in the nation.
The Sinclair School of Nursing saw a 112 increase in enrollment this fall, and is ranked first in the nation for scholarly productivity among public Association of American Universities.
A new graduate certificate will equip social workers with the education they need to help the nation’s armed forces personnel, veterans and their families. MU is only one of 25 universities across the nation offered a program like this.
The Nutrition and Exercise Physiology has a new “MUNCH” center, which includes a research metabolic kitchen, a food choice behavior lab and a teaching kitchen.
Owens expresses concern for lack of staff raises
In his report, UM System interim president Steve Owens said setting aside 2 percent pool for faculty pay raises is one of his utmost concerns.
“It is imperative that we cut costs wherever we can so we can set aside a 2 percent merit pay for our highest performing faculty and staff,” Owens said.
If this is not done, Owens said, he fears that top staff members will flock elsewhere for work — seeking higher pay and newer facilities.
He said he hopes to reduce costs to make a merit-based salary pool available. Additionally, the System plans to focus on the retirement plan project and online training resources for its staff members.
Thompson Center featured in ‘Advancing Missouri’ health video
Friday’s Board of Curators meeting began by showcasing three initiatives within the UM System in advancing the health of Missourians, in the form of “Advancing Missouri” videos.
MU’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders was featured, as was initiatives from UM — St. Louis and UM — Kansas City.
“It’s basically changed my life in the three years I’ve been working there,” Nurse Clinician Krista Hughes said.
Hughes was featured in the video and was thanked by the board for her work.
“It keeps you motivated because you think, ‘If they have to deal with this every day, then I can certainly do something about this in the future,'” Hughes said.
Presidential search website goes live
This morning, the UM System made its website for its presidential search live.
"As the chairman of the University of Missouri Board of Curators Presidential Search Committee, please know that we will do our best to find yet another outstanding leader for our university," Board of Curators chairman Warren Erdman said on the website. "No preconceived notions or expectations will artificially limit our search process. Instead, we will let the process — which will be broad and inclusive, and include input from our many stakeholders and the public — lead us to our ultimate choice."
The website includes the search committee's drafted timeline, guidelines and names of members. It also includes links to news articles about former president Gary Forsee's decision to resign from his position and remarks from interim president Steve Owens after his selection.
"Accept this as our invitation to return to this website often for updates and progress reports, and thank you for your interest in the presidential search process and in the University of Missouri," Erdman said.
Jan. 27, 2011
UM System caucus in the works in Jefferson City
During the Government Relations report, Vice President for Government Relations Steve Knorr said a UM caucus is forming in Jefferson City.
Fifty-nine members are involved already, 39 who are alumni and the remaining 20 consisting of non-alumni.
The goal of the caucus, according to Knorr’s report, is to promote the multi-faceted impact the UM System has on Missourians including ,“educating our citizens, state-of-the art research and the significant development opportunities."
Missouri men's basketball coach Mike Anderson will be involved with getting the caucus started. Its first meeting will be sometime in February.