BUDGET SITUATION FY2003

The legislative reduction to MnSCU’s FY2002-03 appropriation was less than the Governor’s recommendation of $32 million and less than the original legislative target of $28 million which we used to project a $2.65 million decrease in state support for MSU. The good news is the final legislative reduction to MnSCU was $22.7 million, but the Chancellor helped our budget situation by making reductions to the MnSCU reserve and the Chancellor’s Office budget totaling $9.7 million. Consequently, the decrease to MSU’s state appropriation will be $1.2 million rather than the projected $2.65 million. More good news—the IFO and MnSCU have a tentative contract settlement agreement for FY2002-03. Thus, we have been able to finalize salary cost estimates for FY2003 and have made an estimate regarding the tuition rate increase that will be needed to balance the FY2003 budget.

BUDGET INFORMATION DAY – APRIL 9, 2002

The Budget Sub Meet & Confer is hosting an informal opportunity for faculty, staff and students to obtain information on MSU’s budget. Budget Sub Meet & Confer members and I will be available on Tuesday, April 9, 2002, in the Student Union at the flower sale location outside of Stompers from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to provide FY2003 budget information as well as to give MSU community members an opportunity to ask questions or make suggestions regarding the FY2003 budget.

MnSCU AWARDS

I am very proud to announce the following awards that the MSU Finance & Administration Division received from MnSCU:

• Excellence in Facilities Management
• Excellence in Financial Management
• Outstanding Service –
  Steve Smith, Comptroller

MSU was one of two state universities receiving the Excellence in Financial Management award. This is MSU’s third award in the four years it has been given. MSU was the only state university to receive the Excellence in Facilities Management award. We have some great teams in the Finance & Administration Division that are doing outstanding work!!

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION DIVISION WEB SITE

We are putting more information on the Web to better communicate specific issues and procedures to the University community. For more information on MSU’s budget or MnSCU’s allocation model, go to:

www.mnsu.edu/finadm/comments.html

For information and procedures related to the professional and technical services contract moratorium please go to:

http://www.mnsu.edu/finadm/contracts/index.html

PARKING

The public hearing on parking policies and pricing was held on March 21, 2002. I have given my recommendations on the FY2003 parking regulations and permit prices to the President for final approval. The rate for gold permits will be the same as FY2002 ($210), but green permits have been increased to $150.

We have over $190,000 worth of proposed summer parking lot improvements. Some are on hold pending waiver approval from the Department of Administration because engineering contracts are restricted due to the legislative moratorium on professional/technical contracts. For more information on parking for FY2003, please look at the parking ad in the April 4 edition of the Reporter or on the Web:

www.mnsu.edu/parking

YEAR-END MSU EMPLOYEE APPRECIATIAON BREAKFAST

The Year-End MSU Employee Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Monday, May 13, 2002, in the Student Union. The event will run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with President Boubel speaking at 8:45 a.m.

FINANCIAL AID

The Office of Financial Aid has begun processing financial aid applications for the academic year 2002-2003. As of March 29, 3,268 applications have been received and, of those, 1,410 letters have been sent requesting additional paperwork documentation. Last year at the same point in time, the office had processed only 1,557 applications with 795 letters generated. An earlier start to processing provides more timely services to students requesting financial assistance.

The Financial Aid Office staff and the Business Office staff have successfully awarded and disbursed over $59 million in 2001-2002 which is equal to the total dollars for all of fiscal 2001. Awarding and disbursing for 2001-2002 continues for spring term and the upcoming summer term.

The Office of Financial Aid, with the assistance of the IT staff, is designing an electronic Work-Study student employee process, scheduled for release by May 1 for 2002-2003. The process will allow students to complete the Work-Study request process via the Web. It will allow an electronic request process for student employees by campus departments. This, in turn, will enable the Financial Aid Office staff to efficiently and effectively match student skills and interests with departmental student employee needs.

EARTH DAY – CAMPUS CLEAN-UP

The annual Campus Clean-Up Day will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2002. Check-in begins at 1:00 p.m. at the flagpole area on the Campus Mall. There will be a welcome by President Boubel at 1:15, and at 1:30 the teams will begin to pick up trash and debris in the areas they have been assigned. A reception will be held back at the flagpole area at 3:00 p.m. for all the workers. You will receive more information regarding the clean-up early next week.

Previous Earth Day Clean-up Days

H. Dean Trauger
Vice President for Finance & Administration 334 Wigley Administration Center
Mankato, MN 56001