Faculty Affairs Committee

Minutes 11.22.04

Members attending:	Kate Grieshaber, Diane Harney, Greg Johnson, Marilyn Newcomer-Culp, Tamara Williams, Dane Wu
Advisors attending:	Tony Evans
Guest:	Sheri Tonn

The minutes of 11.15.04 were edited and approved. There were no committee reports.

Sheri Tonn, Vice President for Finance and Operations, meet with the committee to discuss the salary pool for 2005-2006. According to Sheri, the expected faculty salary pool is currently estimated at 4-5%. She reported that:

§ The financial aid budget needed to be revised up to $24, 650,000

§ The discount rate would be increased to 48.9% up from 48%

§ There would be an increase in tuition (perhaps 6%)

§ The budget would be based on 3360 students although expected enrollment would be 3400. The difference would provide a buffer

§ Benefits were expected to rise by 10%

§ There would be minimal increases in the services, equipment and maintenance budgets

§ A significant increase in the cost of energy is expected for 2005-2006

Several committee members pointed out that there are serious competitive issues in hiring and retaining faculty and there are already difficulties in recruiting.

Sheri identified several steps that could be taken to increase the funds available for salaries (both long term and immediate):

§ Reduce the size of faculty by 30

§ Increasing class size (raising the student-faculty ration

§ Fill empty seats in upper division courses

§ Increase graduate enrollment

§ Create additional revenue generating programs

These options raised two concerns: how would these changes impact the long term program quality, and what guarantee could be made that any savings would go to salaries?

Greg asked why are salaries not a line item with a set amount rather based on what is left? Sheri agreed to provide information on salary as a percent of budget to the next meeting (if possible).

Sheri also reported that the Garfield Street-Pacific Avenue development has been identified as key to the Pacific Avenue development.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane M. Harney