UMEA Board meeting with Dr. Ouart and Bev Coberly

Friday, February 20, 2009, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Whitten Hall, University of Missouri

 

 

 

The meeting began at 1:00 p.m. In attendance: Marsha Alexander, President; Bev Coberly, Director of Off-Campus Operations; Karisha Devlin, Past President; Wendy Flatt, President Elect; Susan Mills-Gray, 2nd Vice President; Michael Ouart, Vice Provost and Director of Extension; Ted Probert, Treasurer; Amie Schleicher, Secretary.

 

Dr. Ouart reviewed the unfolding of events related to the governor’s recommended budget cut. Several Extension faculty members testified to the House Ag Policy Committee, and either the University president or chancellor will be presenting on the 24th.

 

Bev Coberly outlined the legislative process that is occurring. On the 24th (or later) when the budget leaves the House Appropriations Committee, it will then go to the Senate; from there, it goes to the Governor to sign, and then is given to the curators. Comments from the House have all been positive. A meeting has been held with three House budget analysts. Several state senators have had some questions, and Extension administration is working to answer those.

 

In regards to a possible rescission of funding for this fiscal year, there was no mention of it in today’s address by President Forsee.

 

The UMEA Board presented several priority areas for discussion.

 

1.       If there are cuts to the Extension budget, will they be proportional? Administration included? If there are furloughs, could faculty/staff have input into a voluntary furlough in order to spare cutting positions? Can our financial reserves be used?

 

Dr. Ouart reiterated that the message we are communicating is that if there is a cut, that the cut be made equally across higher education rather than to single Extension out. If cuts are made within Extension, they will be proportional across program areas, and proportional between on- and off-campus faculty relative to expenses (42% of expenses are related to on-campus; 58% for off-campus). Tenured positions are protected (see #2).

 

Dr. Ouart stated again that the cut should be proportional between on- and off-campus to retain a base program from which we can move ahead. It is true that we have cash reserves, which have come from being frugal and receiving grants; he pointed out that agencies that can “help themselves” are being looked at positively by state government.

 

The UMEA Board shared that in the comments received by UMEA members, there were several examples of generosity amongst field and campus faculty, such as suggesting voluntary furloughs in order to save others’ jobs, etc. Dr. Ouart responded that President Forsee doesn’t think he’ll have to use furloughs, but if he did they would be across the board.

 

2.       UMEA asks that NO regional faculty or staff positions be cut. Small percentage positions (tenure/non-tenure) should have funding pulled first. The board feels that some of these positions are ineffective. Support has poured in from across the state by constituents who don’t want to lose their local Extension presence and helped influence a decrease in the proposed budget cut; a cut to field faculty or staff would erode support of those constituents.

 

Dr. Ouart’s response: The issue with the percentage appointments to Extension is that some of those positions are tenured. The only time a tenured position can be released is due to a “crisis”, and the only institution that has ever done it was LSU after Hurricane Katrina, so the release of those positions will likely not happen here. Some tenured faculty do a great job, and Dr. Ouart has a commitment to those positions.

 

Some of those faculty have supported Extension; for example, we have gotten support on the faculty senate via those who have Extension appointments, especially regarding the governor reaching four levels into our budget, which is believed to be unconstitutional.

 

In regards to administrators/chairs/department heads with Extension appointments, he feels those appointments are appropriate if they are supervising Extension work (and the Extension work really is being done).

 

There was discussion that state specialists are not reporting in WebApps. Dr. Ouart shared that state specialists have to report; his hope is to roll everything into one system so no one is double-reporting.

 

3.       Is this situation setting a precedent where the governor is micro-managing the MU budget? What are we doing to prevent this from happening again?

 

As mentioned in response to issue #2, the governor made an error by asking that our budget be cut.

 

The State Extension Council has been an active force during this situation. They have attended Board of Curators meetings, taken the curators on tours, etc.

 

It was encouraging that during President Forsee’s address, he acknowledged the land grant mission, and one of the state Extension specialists asked him a question regarding Extension. It was suggested by a board member that President Forsee meet with Extension faculty to discuss the budget issue and improve trust/communications within the organization.

 

4.       UMEA is asking for field faculty/staff representation—we are Extension’s faculty senate. The association would also like routine contact with the administrative team.

 

The Board expressed concern that Extension does not have representation on the Faculty Senate. Dr. Ouart shared that he will institute a Vice Provost Faculty Advisory Committee made up of on- and off-campus faculty. One of the off-campus faculty members will be from UMEA. He is anticipating that one other member will be someone already on the faculty senate.

 

The career ladder was discussed. It has to be re-submitted because of an issue regarding the Family Medical Leave Act. Dr. Ouart is pushing the career ladder, for one reason, because of the fact that it leads to representation on the faculty senate (although it will be ex-officio).  It was also recognized that a career ladder will serve as a recruitment and retention tool for
Extension faculty.

 

Bev Coberly suggested that the possibility for UMEA to meet with the State Extension Council be looked into.

 

5.       What is the vision for how Extension will be structured for the future? The budget situation seems to be setting a precedent for continuing decline.

 

Dr. Ouart’s response:

·         Our robust plan-of-work process shows that we are doing what the people want

·         Local delivery—especially in counties with only a few staff

·         CPD enhancement committee

·         March 2nd—open forum regarding President Forsee’s strategic initiatives

·         Continue to improve and enhance technology use

·         Career ladder

·         Vice Provost advisory committee

·         Revenue generation

·         New web page

 

6.       We are concerned about the lack of timely, routine communications from administration, especially in these difficult times.

 

The board will work with Dr. Ouart on developing a plan for regular communications with the association.

 

Plans are being made for the UMEA Executive Board to meet with Extension administration on a routine basis, and the frequency will be decided soon.

 

Faculty and staff are encouraged to visit the budget website, extension.missouri.edu/staff/budgetnews/. Dr. Ouart and Bev shared one of the latest publication pieces that is being used for stakeholders and legislators. The State Extension Council has a separate web page and has set up Google groups to be advocates for Extension. Faculty and staff should know that work is being done behind the scenes but it can’t necessarily be advertised.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Amie Schleicher

UMEA Secretary