College Update

From: Sanford Shugart
To: All Faculty and Staff
Date: 5/9/2006 2:52:44 PM
Subject: College Update, 5-09-06

It has been quite a while since I have written to the entire college, but with the feverish activity at the end of spring term, the end of the legislative session, and the joy of commencement, there is plenty to share. I'll try to be brief.

1. Commencement - This was the best organized and most meaningful Commencement exercise I've ever attended. A very large team of staff and faculty come together each year to plan Commencement and then execute the plan. Their work resulted in a nearly flawless day for our students and their families. From the parking and traffic management to the music, to the ceremony itself, and that unforgettable address, it was a great and memorable day. I can't begin to thank the hundreds who made this possible, but I know the joy of our graduates is the best compensation, and that joy was more than evident on Saturday morning (as well as Friday evening for the pinning ceremonies.) Thanks to all of you.

2. Summer Term Start Up - It's an awfully quick turnaround from spring to the first summer term, but it seems to have been very smooth. Enrollment is very healthy - early indications are a 6% increase in FTE - and the logistics were handled with great professional grace. I expect the enrollment growth is a signal for future, both near and long term. We'll talk more about this in the fall. It is also a direct result of excellent enrollment planning and scheduling by the academic deans and provosts, and effective marketing and enrollment services. The progress in planning and fulfilling our enrollment goals is good for our finances, of course, but it is also good for learning, as our students' programs are less likely to be interrupted. Well done.

3. Legislature - The session just ended and, as you may have read, it was a good budget year. Dr. Mullowney will transmit a detailed report in a few days. For now I'll hit the highlights. Our state budget allocation increased by about 7% and a fee increase of 2.5% was authorized. Together they comprise a total revenue increase of about 5% before we factor in enrollment growth and special fees. This is sufficient revenue to make important strides in most of our budget priorities as presented to the Board of Trustees a month or so ago. Our priorities for Achieving the Dream and improving student learning, compensation of faculty, compensation of staff, equipment and technology renewal, and new programs should all get more than adequate attention, even though some of our "costs to continue" like utilities and insurance continue to see alarming increases. Details will be forthcoming in about four weeks.

Our capital priorities also received excellent attention. Funds to construct Building 10 West, to complete the Southwest Campus property purchase, to build the West Campus Signature Building (a.k.a. culinary lab), and to accelerate renovations and maintenance were all received.

Finally, some very good legislation we supported energetically did pass. This includes exempting textbook purchases from sales taxes, expanding need-based financial aid, and creating some incentive matching programs for raising scholarship funds for first generation college students.

Dr. Mullowney did an outstanding job representing us in Tallahassee. Watch for more detailed information from him.

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