Planning Council Minutes - October 29, 2008

Facilitator: Dr. Paul Jennings
Notetaker: Nancy Ramsey
Attendees: Emily Siciensky, Paul Jennings, Karry Hathaway, Chaitram Talele, Barry Gidcomb, Kae Fleming, Ken Horner, John Troy, Lauren Maxwell, Mike Shuler, Christa Martin, Dr. Janet Smith, and Nancy Ramsey

Dr. Jennings called the meeting to order at 8:00 am on Wednesday, October 29, 2008.

Ken Horner focused the Planning Council on current and future budget concerns. Mr. Horner discussed the decline in state revenues and the increase in tuition and fees over the past ten years. He projects that next year tuition and fess will make up more than 50% of the college’s budget.

In the presentation, Mr. Horner presented the following information:

  • May reduction 2.4% $339,000
  • October reduction 3.5% $472,000
  • Anticipated January Reduction 3.5% $472,000

In total, this will amount to about 5% of the budget or $1,284,000. The college has dealt with the first reductions ($811,000) mostly through unfilled positions. The college plans to use reserves to deal with the additional $472,000 reduction in January.

Dr. Smith has begun a process with the President’s Cabinet and the Constituency Leaders to identify a strategy for dealing with a continued decline in state revenues in the 2009-2010 budget.

Mr. Horner identified the following Planning Challenges:

  • Investment planning and strategy
  • What enrollment level can we support
  • Balancing access with budget
  • Sustainability.

In updates on capital projects, Mr. Horner shared the following:

  • Library Renovation – the college is going ahead with construction but does no have plans to finish out the renovation until there is a better look at the upcoming budget year. The reason we can complete construction is that it is funded with state capital outlay monies.
  • Wellness Center – this project has been put on hold until there is a more favorable budget outlook
  • Franklin Bookstore Project – this project is currently underway and will continue. The project was funded with prior profits and an investment from Barnes and Noble.

View Mr. Horner’s PowerPoint presentation (Note: Microsoft PowerPoint 2008 .PPTX file).

The next meeting will be November 12. Dr. Jennings will report on the Planning and Development achievements and challenges. Dr. Jennings will also share some information on a process to assist the Planning Council with the upcoming action plan.

The meeting was adjourned.