MDHE Statewide Directive to Examine Degree Productivity
REVISED MATERIALS SUBMITTED TO MDHE ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010
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It is likely that you have seen press coverage or otherwise heard of the Missouri Department of Higher Education's (MDHE's) request of all public universities to examine degree productivity and consider other possible means of achieving efficiencies, savings and enhanced effectiveness. Some faculty and staff have voiced concerns about the possible impact of potential budget cuts, program eliminations or consolidations, and other cost cutting measures, on their jobs and careers at MU.
I am writing to address concerns and to provide links to all of the data that have been under discussion with the deans, the Faculty Council, the UM System and the MDHE. First, let me assure you that currently there are NO PLANS TO ELIMINATE EXISTING POSITIONS. Moreover, MU is committed to meeting our obligations to students currently enrolled in all of our academic programs, even if a scenario emerges from this review to discontinue a particular program.
It remains true that we face a daunting fiscal environment as we prepare for the Fiscal Year 2012 budget that begins July 1, 2011. It should be apparent that business as usual is no longer an option at MU, or any other state supported entity. It is also true that we will be examining our profile of degrees, our enrollment strategies, and numerous other matters that may need adjustment to get us through the next few years of economic stress. We have been and continue to be committed to engage faculty and staff in our strategic discussions and to be transparent in our decision making processes. One important way of doing so is the series of budget forums offered by Budget Officer Tim Rooney, and the data available on his website at http://mubudget.missouri.edu/.
Set out below are links to information sent to deans on Friday, October 1st, and Tuesday, October 5th, and Friday, October 8. The data is under careful review and refinement, and we will update these links as the data is refined and when we send additional data to the deans. I am sure there will continue to be questions about the data and the processes. Deans will be a good source of information, but we would be happy to schedule forums to discuss matters, and will respond as best we can to individual inquiries by E-Mail: muprovost@missouri.edu.
- MDHE Letter to Chancellor Deaton, dated September 16, 2010
- MDHE Timeline for Existing Academic Program Review (4-Year Sector)
- Urgent Message to Deans, dated October 1, 2010
- Attachment 1: MDHE Institutional Response to Preliminary Productivity Review and Request for Exemptions Form (draft)
- Attachment 2: Low Degree Production Report for MU, per MDHE criteria (Excel)
- Addressing Fiscal Challenges (message to deans), dated October 5, 2010
- Attachment 1: Charge to Deans (and notes on actions for addressing fiscal challenges)
- Expanded Data Table, dated October 12, 2010 (PDF)
- Guide to Data Table, dated October 12, 2010 (PDF)
- Expanded Data Table, dated October 25, 2010 (PDF)
- MU Degree Program Response Forms, dated December 23, 2010 (PDF)
- MDHE Response, Cover Letter, dated December 23, 2010 (PDF)
- MU Response to MDHE Statewide Directive to Examine Degree Productivity, dated December 23, 2010 (PDF)
You should know that you and your efforts on behalf of the students at MU, the research enterprise at MU and the service, outreach and economic development activities of MU are highly valued. Any action we take will be thoughtful and consider faculty and staff comments, as well as all of the important missions of MU.
For more information please contact Kirsten Olson, Executive Staff Assistant, Office of the Provost, (573) 884-1273 or by E-Mail: OlsonKi@missouri.edu.
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