Profs try working with cuts
Matt Terrell | Staff Reporter

At this early stage, dealing with MSU’s budget problems is more like an exercise in maintaining sanity than learning to be frugal. There is only so much in material costs that can be saved by using both sides of a sheet of paper. What is proving to be more important in the survival of the university is the unselfish and cooperative spirit adopted by the faculty. After it was announced that MSU would be expected to return 7 percent of revenue allocated by the state, an amount of $1.21 million, faculty members immediately started showing support for the university and colleagues who would be making important decisions concerning the budget, according to Friederike Wiedemann, vice president for academic affairs. “When this budget cut hit us, no one was happy, but I had the feeling that everyone was willing to do their part,” Wiedemann said. Recently, a plan formulated by the deans, faculty senate chairman David Tucker and Wiedemann was presented to MSU President Jesse Rogers that proposed a 4 percent reduction in summer salaries for those teaching classes. Deans with 12 month contracts insisted on contributing a similar amount to the University’s Foundation. Even though the reductions would total more than $50,000, Rogers decided to turn down the proposal. “When I submitted this plan to the president, he was visibly deeply moved by the offer, but he insisted it was a measure of last resort,” Wiedemann said. “Salaries are very personal things, so it was touching to see many colleagues express a willingness to give up a part of their budgets.” Even though the summer pay cut has been turned down, the proposal represents the core attitude of the faculty, which is, “We’re in this together,” according to Wiedemann. “One staff member I know of suggested she could take a month off without pay,” Wiedemann said. “Two staff members I know of were supposed to go to See Professors

Many students fret about possible tuition increase
For The Wichitan

In a poll taken by “The Wichitan,” 61 percent of MSU students said it is unfair to raise tuition to fix the budget problem. Forty-five percent said the government should foot the bill, while 30 percent said the money should come from donations or fund-raisers. Others had no idea how to raise money. “MSU should implement some events that could bring the community to participate,” senior Ana Passos said. To save money, one student said the government should stop financing the education of foreign students. “The United States should look to the needs of its citizens and future leaders before educating the rest of the world,” sophomore business administration major Kevin Reeves said. Even though most students polled believe tuition should not be raised, 58 percent said it would not effect their enrollment. Thirty-six percent said a raise in tuition would effect their enrollment. Others were graduating or unsure. “The school shouldn’t raise tuition because it’s not our fault they didn’t see this coming,” said junior finance major Meloni Leal. “If it did raise, though, it wouldn’t affect my attending MSU because this is all through Texas.” “If the tuition raises, I will transfer to another school where the tuition is lower than MSU,” said freshman psychology major Yasuko Ota. Thirty-four percent of those polled said the administration should cut unnecessary programs, although many admitted it would be difficult to determine what is necessary and what is not. Twelve percent mentioned athletic programs such as football and cheerleading are unnecessary. Thirty-eight percent said no programs should be cut because it wouldn’t be fair to the students who were involved in those particular programs. “MSU should take money away from the students that are paid to play football, basketball, soccer and other sports, who care little about school grades,” said graduate student Juan Rodriguez. “Otherwise the programs should be completely cut.” “As far as unnecessary programs, I think they should cut Spirit Days, College Days, and things of that sort,” Leal said. “They should make the cuts necessary to get the money. It’s the only way.” Graduate student Cheryle White said the administration should take money from anywhere but student programs. “Cut back staff, reconstruct and cancel travel,” she said. Sophomore management major Richard Whatcott said he empathizes with the administration. “It’s hard to make a decision like that without stepping on some toes,” he said. “I can see where the administration is having some problems.” One hundred five students were polled. Of those, 48 percent said they hadn’t been following the news about the budget.