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MnSCU Award MnSCU recently honored the MSU Finance Division with its "Excellence in Financial Management Award". This award affirms what we have known for years—Mankato has an outstanding financial team. Human Resources Director Search The selection advisory committee has recommended three individuals to be interviewed for the position. Interviews will be conducted over the next two to three weeks. The names of the candidates and interview times will be sent by e-mail. FY2002 Budget Planning The Legislature will be making budget recommendations the week of April 23, 2001. MnSCU is optimistic that the Legislature will do better than the Governor’s proposal of $40.7 million. Currently, there is talk that the MnSCU appropriation might be around $100 million. However, I am guessing that MnSCU will receive between $70 million and $85 million. The final appropriation bill will probably not be passed until the latter part of May. Tuition rate increases will be discussed by the MnSCU trustees at their May Board meeting. Based on our FY2002 projections—appropriation, enrollment and bargaining unit settlements—Mankato will be proposing an increase of $125 per semester on the resident, undergraduate tuition band. Even with the significant tuition increase, we anticipate a budget shortfall of $1.6 million. The Cabinet has been working on a budget reduction plan, and details of the plan will be provided to the Planning Sub Meet & Confer, the Budget Sub Meet & Confer, and bargaining units for comment by April 26, 2001. The budget reduction plan will also be posted on the budget web site.
FACILITIES Campus Master Plan Project The following is a proposed timeline for campus review of the preliminary or emerging concepts for the Facilities Master Plan as identified and requested by the Planning Sub-Meet and Confer Committee: April 13 – Concept Draft delivered to the campus for comments. This will be done via the Web, and a full copy of the draft will be made available to the Extended Cabinet, the Library, and the Student Association. Executive summaries will be made available to all departments, bargaining unit heads and others as necessary. The goal is to have people go to the Web and be able to e-mail responses directly. April 19 - Open forums with the master planners in CSU 202 at 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. April 19 – Meeting with the Planning Sub-Meet and Confer from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to share comments received during the open forums. All comments will be collected and sent to Charles Andersen. Sometime around June 1 - Meeting with the Cabinet to seek direction and select concepts slated for more detailed analysis and prioritization. Summer - Work on selected concepts and priorities identified and fine-tune the plan. August – First week faculty are back send out an updated plan and request review and feedback through mid-September. October - Prepare materials for MnSCU. November - Present plan to MnSCU Board.
ACCOUNTING & PURCHASING Work has been completed on the Federal Government’s Indirect Cost Proposal to establish the indirect cost rate to be used on sponsored programs, grants, and contracts. MSU will be participating with 300 other institutions in a cost study that NACUBO is coordinating. CAO-2 budget transfers will be available to key and mail on line. The Purchasing staff will be seeking feedback from units on the management of maintenance agreements. Student pay rates have been increased for FY2002 with the base pay going up to $6.75 per hour. |
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES Financial Aid – Spring Spring semester saw a significant increase in the amount of financial aid disbursed to University students on the first disbursement date. Student Financial Services employees in the offices of Financial Aid and Business Affairs worked together to disburse approximately $15.3 million to a total of 6,272 students. This compares with $9.5 million disbursed to 4,600 students in January 1999 and $14 million disbursed to 5,690 students in January 2000. The Office of Financial Aid is currently accepting and processing applications for summer aid. Staff are working to process an application and send out an award letter within a 10 day turn-around period. Staff have also started sending tracking letters to new entering freshmen for fall 2001. Approximately 700 letters were mailed during the week of March 26. The first award letters for fall will be going out in early April. Parking Applications Accounts Receivable staff have been working with the Parking Advisory Committee in developing an on-line application system for purchasing parking permits. The system is being tested and should be ready for use in the next few weeks. Until that time, applications for the gold parking lottery are available for completion at the Campus Access Hub on the first floor of the Wigley Administration Center or at the Cashier’s Office, WA236.
HUMAN RESOURCES Insurance – Long-Term Insurance Employees who enrolled in long-term care (LTC) insurance during Open Enrollment should check to make sure the correct coverage and payroll deductions are in place. Statewide enrollment in LTC coverage far exceeded what was anticipated, and some problems with enrollment and payroll deduction have occurred. The insurance company, CNA, is making every effort to locate and address these problems, but employees need to check their own records as well. By now, every employee who enrolled in LTC insurance should have the following: - A certificate of coverage The certificate of coverage includes a Schedule of Benefits that indicates the Lifetime Maximum Benefit selected, coverage amounts, and coverage premium. Employees should verify that all of the coverage information is correct and that the correct amount of premiums are being deducted from their paychecks. Any errors or anything missing should be reported to CNA at 1-888-653-9600. Enrollment and premium problems can still be cleared up fairly easily at this point but will be harder, and possibly more expensive, to fix if they are not taken care of soon. Persons needing assistance working with CNA may call Therese Mullins at 6942 or Cherie Magaard at 2017 in the Human Resources Office, or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY). Insurance - COBRA Do you have a child who will no longer be eligible for your insurance coverage? Children who cease to be eligible dependents may continue coverage at their own cost (this is often referred to as COBRA). A child is no longer eligible for your dependent coverage if he or she is: - Age 19 through 24 and not a full-time student, or Your child may continue health and/or dental coverage for up to three years. Information about the cost of coverage is available in the Human Resources Office. You must notify Therese Mullins when a child loses eligibility so that the COBRA option can be offered to that child. A child may submit a "Request for Continuation of Coverage" form to the Department of Employee Relations no later than 60 days from the date she or he loses eligibility. For further information, call Therese Mullins at 6942, Cherie Magaard at 2017, or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY) Retirement Luncheon – May 3, 2001 Please watch your mail for your invitation to the upcoming retirement luncheon and reception. The luncheon and reception will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2001. The luncheon will be in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The invitation will include instructions for reserving lunches and making payments. The reception follows the luncheon and is free and open to the public. Year-End MSU Employee Appreciation – May 14, 2001 The Year-End MSU Employee Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Monday, May 14, 2001, in the Student Union Ballroom. The event will run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with President Rush speaking at 8:45 a.m. |
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