Message from President Wendy Libby
to Stephens Faculty and Staff
(Sent March 5, 2009)
Dear Stephens Faculty and Staff,
It’s been a little more than two weeks since we last gathered, at the staff coffee or faculty meeting, and I shared with you the economic situation facing Stephens and our plans to address it head on. Several things have occurred during this time. I realize this message is lengthy, but I believe it is important to be comprehensive and explain some of the reasoning behind the decisions discussed among my Senior Staff, the Financial Review Team and others. All of these changes will balance our budget for 2009-10.
By the end of this week, we will have talked with affected staff members and made some reductions in staff positions; we do not anticipate having to make further staff reductions. At the February gatherings, we announced that we will hold faculty and staff salaries at current year levels. We also indicated that the College would be decreasing its pension contributions, however, our latest projections necessitate a suspension of College pension contributions for 2009-10 unless revenue projections surpass our expectations. Employees may continue to make contributions to their pension.
A review of our academic program is nearly complete. All majors and minors currently being offered remain. We have tightened the course schedule for next year and and have reduced the salary budget for adjunct faculty, but these changes will not affect a student’s ability to graduate on time.
We have already begun implementing several revenue-generating program initiatives, many of which will be of great interest to current and prospective students:
* The Graduate Council recently approved new master’s degree programs for fall, and our marketing and recruitment efforts are in high gear. In addition to our current master’s degrees in business, counseling, and curriculum and instruction, available through Graduate & Continuing Studies (GCS), we will offer new master’s degrees in strategic leadership, management of health informatics, and in secondary education with certification starting this fall. (Plus-One Programs: we have increased promotion of these programs that pair several residential undergraduate degrees with a master’s degree that students can earn in as little as one additional year instead of two.)
* Building on our highly reputable Health Information Administration degree – long delivered through GCS in an online format for working adults across the nation – we will also offer the degree this fall through Admissions to our residential undergraduates in a slightly different format. These students will spend the first two years of the program on campus and finish the last two years studying wherever they like, online.
* Over the next few weeks, we will announce Summer 2009 online course offerings. This is the first time that Stephens has offered a large number of online summer courses for traditional residential students; classes are available to current students as well as non-Stephens students.
* In addition, we continue to enhance our recruitment of scholar athletes for our National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics programs.
Last night, we held an all-student meeting in a packed Windsor Auditorium, where we announced next year’s tuition as well as changes in our housing and meal plans. Students received handouts with detailed information, and a letter with this information will mail to students and their parents this week. I would like to also share the broader picture with you.
* Tuition. The Board of Trustees approved a 5% tuition increase for 2009-10, which is less than the increase in years past and still under the national average for four-year private institutions. There will also be an increase in lab fees we charge in fashion, art, science, applied music and equestrian riding classes that more accurately reflect associated expenses as well as the quality and level of service provided in these areas. A policy of charging a course overload fee if a student takes more than 18 credit hours per semester will be enforced starting this fall.
* Room. Housing costs are increasing 4% for next year, with variations depending on the hall, occupancy and air conditioning options. Housing (and meal plan) sign-ups begin March 16.
* We will temporarily close Prunty and Searcy residence halls after this academic year. The closure of these buildings gives us an opportunity to evaluate some aging mechanical and electrical equipment, as intrusive investigations are not easily accomplished when a hall is occupied. In addition, the recent re-opening of Columbia and Wood halls, which are slightly more expensive than our other living options, has led to excess housing on the Residence Quad. Consolidating housing reduces costs associated with needed heating, cooling, cleaning and maintenance. We will work with the residents, including pet owners and Kappa Delta members, to relocate to Hillcrest Hall this fall. Hillcrest offers suite-style living, private baths and air conditioning – features not available in Prunty and Searcy. This also means that we will offer more rooms on our Residence Quad as double occupancy (similar to other institutions), which is a less expensive option for our students concerned about costs.
* Last week we received notification that the University of Missouri will close The Health Connection (THC) operation on our campus, due to the university’s own budgetary concerns. THC sent letters out to members this week explaining that the facility will close in June. For Stephens, this means that we have already begun exploring various options so that we can offer a fitness center for our students, faculty and staff when school begins this fall. We should have more information to share soon.
* Board. The Trustees also approved a 4% increase in board; the College will absorb the other half of the 8% increase in food costs we are experiencing as part of a nationwide trend.
* The biggest change in students’ meal plans is that students will now select a meals-per-semester plan rather than a meals-per-week plan; they may choose from five options, ranging from 75 to 250 meals per semester. Students are required to select a meal plan, which is not always a popular policy, but greater meal plan participation keeps costs as low as possible for everyone and helps ensure students have easy access to nutrition while juggling their many activities.
* The Grab-n-Go in the Commons will move to Columbia Foyer this fall (hours: 7:30a-5:30p) for increased accessibility and convenience.
*Dining hours in the Commons will be expanded, with some sort of meal option available from 7:30am to 7:30pm, for increased accessibility and convenience.
This is the summary of the changes we expect to see, as the Stephens community heads into the fall, that assures Stephens’ firm financial footing with a balanced budget. I encourage you to voice any questions or concerns to me or the Senior Staff. As always, I deeply appreciate all you do for Stephens, our students and each other.
Wendy B. Libby
