Curator calls for athletics task force

The board heard from all four UM system campuses about athletics.

By Jedd Rosche

Published May 5, 2006

Curator David Wasinger proposed an intercollegiate athletics task force to investigate "the relationship between a governing board and athletics directors," Thursday during the monthly UM system Board of Curators meeting.

At the St. Louis meeting, the board, which is the governing body of the UM system, heard from all four campuses and their athletic programs.

Maria Curtis, the student representative for the board, said Board President Angela Bennett suggested that the board address the subject today.

UM system spokesman Joe Moore said that though Wasinger broached the subject Thursday, no legal decision has been made in the discussion.

"The idea was not formally introduced in the form of a motion to the board," Moore said.

A presentation on MU intercollegiate sports by Athletic Director Mike Alden immediately preceded Wasinger requests.

Curtis said the presentations focused on the basics of each athletic program and didn't introduce the idea of a task force.

"The presentations included the numbers of students and programs," Curtis said. "They wanted to find out what type of sports they have, their budgets at all of the different campuses."

Curtis said the presentations also included academic information about each of the athletes.

"I was very pleasantly surprised by the academic achievement," Curtis said.

Curtis said that preceding the athletics discussion, the board heard more presentations on the definition of "employee benefits" in the UM system.

"We heard a presentation on retirement plans," Curtis said. "The retirees association and other faculty members have expressed concern because of conversations involving possible ways the UM system conducts its faculty and staff pensions."

Last week, Nikki Krawitz, UM system vice president for finance and administration, said the proposed budget for fiscal year 2007 increased employee benefits by only 2 percent from the previous year, which is less than the rate of inflation, or approximately 3 percent.

Moore also said the board approved one measure involving the MU school of medicine.

"They approved the doctorate physical therapy degree at UM-Columbia," Moore said. "That's becoming the accepted terminal degree in the field."

Moore said the majority of voted actions will be decided today, the final of the two-day meeting.

"The board will be taking up the issue of the fiscal year 2007 operating budget during the meeting budget Friday," Moore said. "The vice president of finance and administration will conduct a presentation on the proposed budget for the coming year at that time."

Last week, Krawitz said that even with a 2 percent increase in state funding and a 5 percent increase in tuition rates, the UM system operating budget will be short $5.2 million. Also last week, she said new ideas concerning the budget would be brought up at today's meeting.

On Thursday, Krawitz said solutions were still under discussion and that she will have to wait until today's meeting before coming up with a definite solution. Krawitz said she was unable to provide any possible suggestions.

The next curator meeting will be held on July 20 in Kansas City.