MSUM strategies position university for fiscally sustainable future
Minnesota State University Moorhead administrators have completed a process of consultation with their faculty union in advance of reductions in faculty positions stemming from lower student enrollment.
In November, the administration outlined a projected deficit of $8 million by 2016. This deficit follows years of enrollment declines and state funding reductions of almost $7 million from 2008 to 2012.
Most of the deficit was addressed through efficiencies, administrative savings, and voluntary separations. In addition, building on its strategic plan and academic realignment, the administration will merge some academic departments in order to reduce the budget, create efficiencies, and promote synergies.
Input from faculty, staff, and students was considered as part of the consultative process. The final plan released today will eliminate three tenure track positions (less than 1% of the overall instructional FTE of 405) and reduce temporary faculty. The three tenure track faculty members have a year and a half notice before their layoffs are effective in May 2015, as well as claiming rights for open positions elsewhere in the state system. Temporary faculty members have a semester of notice.
“This plan has positioned the university for a fiscally sustainable future with an academic program portfolio that addresses employer needs and student demand,” said President Edna Mora Szymanski. “We regret losing members of our faculty family and will work with our union to assure that their contractual rights are honored.”
To better connect faculty resources with enrollment patterns, the administration will phase out the following five low enrollment majors (American multicultural studies, medical laboratory science, master’s in fine arts, music composition, and community health) and a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The 69 impacted students will have the opportunity to complete their programs.
The university will continue to have 70 majors along with multiple minors and certificates, including new programs added recently due to student and employer interest: master’s degrees in business administration (executive MBA with healthcare emphasis), healthcare administration, nursing administration, and accounting and finance; bachelor’s degree in project management; minors in media arts and doing business in China; and certificates in entrepreneurship, professional writing, professional communication, visual communication, and professional ethics.