SFRC rejects health center's request for major increase
The center's director said it needs the money for $150,000 position.
Dec. 2, 2008
(Click graphic to enlarge)
The Student Fee Review Committee unanimously declined the Student Health Center's request for increased funding beyond an inflationary increase Monday night.
In a presentation to the committee, Student Health Center Director Susan Even asked for an increase of 5.5 percent in student fees to fill a projected budget shortfall of $113,000. This shortfall would be partly due to the proposed creation of the position of Assistant Director of Medical Services at a cost of $151,000.
"We are keeping our head above water with the staff we have now, but we feel we could do things a little more effectively with this position," Even said.
The proposed assistant director would supervise physicians and nurse practitioners at the primary care clinic, provide medical oversight and ensure the clinic is adequately staffed and running efficiently, Even said.
Committee members said the position, while desirable, was unnecessary.
"It may make the Health Center better, but right now it's a recession," committee Secretary Claire Stuckel said. "I don't think this is the right time to add a position that isn't super-necessary."
For the center, the committee recommended a student fee increase at par with inflation, projected at 3 percent, for fiscal year 2010.
Missouri Students Association Speaker Jonathan Mays said next year's expected inflation is low because of the weak economy.
"One of the consequences is it allows the SFRC to take a hard look at budgets and separate the wheat from the chaff," Mays said.
Mays, who has written several bills to reform the MSA budget, said he would ideally like to see no increase in the student activities fee.
The committee also returned to the Department of Student Life's request for increased funding to expand the Center for Leadership Development. No consensus was reached and the issue was tabled for the following week.
Two other bills passed, providing the Graduate Professional Council with an inflationary increase and Student Unions with an increase of 52 percent of inflation.
SFRC has been reviewing budget requests from 29 MU organizations and divisional councils, including groups like the Student Unions, club sports and the Division of Information Technology.
While many groups requested no change in funding or only an inflationary increase, the Student Health Center, Student Life and Counseling Center requested additional increases.
SFRC previously approved the Counseling Center's request for an increase of 44 cents plus inflation to hire an additional full-time mental health professional.
"We are way below the national average," Chairwoman Gwen Daniels said. "We need 19 full-time equivalent professional staff members to meet the minimum and we will only have 11 this summer."
Daniels is a columnist for The Maneater.
MU has one full-time mental health professional for every 2,835 students, twice the International Association of Counseling Services' recommended ratio of one per 1000 to 1500 students, Daniels said.
SFRC, which includes representation from MSA Senate, GPC and the student body in general, will submit the bills to the MSA Senate for a vote. From there, the Senate's recommendations will be considered by Cathy Scroggs, vice chancellor of student affairs. The UM system Board of Curators will make final budget decisions.
More Dec. 2, 2008 News Stories
- MBA enrollment up despite economic slump — The unemployment rate for high-level degree graduates is only 2 percent.
- New faculty grievance policy awaiting vote — The new policy would take 135 days as opposed to 320 days.
- Paul prepares to take over as MSA president — He has been seeking advice from current President Jim Kelley.
- Division of IT to retire TigerNet — New wireless network brings greater security and easier management.
- Former UM system president now among nation's highest paid — President Gary Forsee's average is below the median.
Most recent News Stories
- Officials OK younger STRIPES drivers — Program leaders hope to inspire similar programs at other schools.
- Fire department says Thursday night blaze set intentionally — Officials are searching for one arsonist in two cases
- Department of Student Life diverts money from diversity fee — Diversity groups were not notified of a transfer of $30,771 for the equipment reserve fund.
- MSA Senate recommends fee decrease — The committee recommended a decrease of 25 cents to $1.70.
- MU to gradually ban smoking — Officials cite student support for the policy.