Open forum planned for May 16; campus community may share feedback at http://financeadmin.mst.edu/budgetplanning/

In response to reductions in state funding and an anticipated drop in international student enrollment, Missouri S&T is proposing a plan to reduce expenditures for fiscal year 2018, which begins July 1, in order to balance the budget. To meet this reduction, the university’s proposed plan would reduce administrative and staff positions by eliminating some vacant positions and, as necessary, through layoffs. The plan would also restructure the university’s upper administration and some non-academic programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Still in draft form, the proposal would reduce Missouri S&T’s current expenditures while realizing additional revenue. Under this proposal, Missouri S&T’s budgeted expenditures will be reduced by $6.9 million. The cut in expenditures, along with additional revenue, will allow Missouri S&T to balance the budget for FY18. Please review this presentation for details.

“Since January, we’ve been communicating with campus about the potential for cuts to our operating budget due to the likelihood of reduced appropriations for higher education and the anticipated decline in the number of international students enrolling this fall,” says Walt Branson, vice chancellor for finance and administration. “Throughout the budget planning process, we have sought input from a variety of groups and have provided opportunities for input through open forums. The leaders of each division on campus were asked to come up with various budget reduction scenarios. This proposed plan is the result of those various inputs. It also reflects our intention to protect our academic core, preserve revenue streams and move forward strategically to ensure that we stay focused on the objectives of our strategic plan.”

The proposed plan would also streamline upper administration by reducing the number of direct reports to the chancellor from eight positions to six. It would also reduce the number of direct reports to the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs from 11 positions to nine.

This proposed streamlining is part of a broader reorganization that is outlined in the draft organizational chart.

Program prioritization

Also as part of the proposed organizational restructuring and in response to University of Missouri System President Mun Choi’s request to focus on programs of excellence on every campus, Missouri S&T will begin a process to review academic and administrative programs. Known as “program prioritization,” this process will enable campus leaders to focus on programs that meet high standards of excellence. More information about the proposed program prioritization is also available in the presentation linked above. Prioritization forms are also available for download:

• Attachment A: Academic Programs
• Attachment B: Research Consortia/Center/Signature Area
• Attachment C: Administrative and Support Programs

Provide your input, online or in person

Missouri S&T faculty, staff and students are asked to provide input into the proposed budget plan, proposed reorganization and the proposed program prioritization process by submitting their comments and ideas using the online form at http://financeadmin.mst.edu/budgetplanning/. To meet President Choi’s timeline for communicating budget issues across all campuses, input is due by noon Wednesday, May 17. In addition, faculty, staff and students may submit ideas for streamlining operations at S&T or across the UM System by emailing yourinput@umsystem.edu.

Two open forums to discuss further details of the proposed plan will be held Tuesday, May 16, in Room 125 Butler-Carlton Civil Engineering Hall. The first forum will be held 9-11 a.m., with an afternoon forum to follow at 2:30-4:30 p.m. Paper feedback forms will be available at the forums.

A final draft of the plan will be submitted to President Choi on Friday, May 19. This draft will be used to help develop a final version of the UM System plan, which will be released Friday, June 2.