Budget Rumors, Debunked

I think that Western will find there are many staff who will be happy to have the option of a reduced appointment.

Indeed, many of us could imagine spending some of our time in other ways; however, just being asked if I would like to reduce my hours makes me a little nervous. I simply cannot afford it. I'm grateful and honored to have my job. But we do make choices--sacrifices even--to be here. Asking us to do less (or is it more in less time?) feels a bit unempowering.

Does anyone know if its true that the CFPA could face serious cuts?  It seems like the arts should be central to a liberal arts college...

Dance and Theatre majors are hearing all kinds of rumors about losing our major?  Is this true?

Dear "halesk",

The Provost has indicated that CFPA has been asked to prepare a 2009-11 budget with the same percentage reductions as other instructional units in the university. 

At this point in time, with only the Governor's budget recommendation in hand (as released December 18), we really know very little about Western's 2009-11 budget.  We know the Governor has proposed a $3.3 million one-time reduction for 2008-09 and a greater permanent reduction for 2009-11; however, the Senate, the House and the Conference Committee need to act before we will know the full extent of budget reductions for 2009-11.  After that, the Governor needs to sign the budget into law.  We have a long way to go.  It's likely we will not have a final budget until April.
 

Thanks for your question,

Paula

This was brought to my attention by the the AS' legislative liason, it might be helpful in keeping up on future budget issues...

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=61999122520&h=F0j1T&u=XskZx

There is a lot of speculation right now about the budget. But, one thing is for certain.

No one knows what is going to happen or what is going to be proposed. Or at least those that do know aren't going to tell us yet.

But, it isn't to late to send a letter to your legislator, and the other important legislators (those on Ways and Means) about your priorities for the budget. Civic Engagment and action are our best tools right now in protecting the important things in the budget. Like Higher Education.

-Morgan

I just picked up a copy of last weeks issue of the Western Front and read something about the Special Education Program being cut. Is this true or did I just misread something?

RUMOR:  "the Special Education Program is being cut" posted by Crystal.

TRUTH:  As reported in the Western Front article of February 10, 2009, the Master of Education in Special Education program will not be admitting new students for fall of 2009.  This decision was made by the special education department due to very low enrollment in the program.  The decision is not the result of impeding budget reductions, but was reached by the department to more productively use currently available resources.

IMPORTANT:  Our undergraduate program in special education is flourishing and accepting applications as usual.  In fact, the department is hoping to recruit new students to the program because of the national need for highly qualified special education teachers.

The citizens of Washington depend on WWU to prepare highly qualified special education teachers, and we will continue to fully meet that commitment.  I encourage you to contact the chair of the department at Keith.Hyatt@wwu.edu to learn more about our outstanding special education program.

Stephanie Salzman, Dean, Woodring College of Education

My daughter applied last fall for Fall 09-10. It is now March, and she has heard nothing from WWU. We are way past many financial aid deadlines.

Wendy has accepted a nice offer from San Diego State University. She got several other offers the second week of January.

I can only imagine what prospective students and parents must think about WWU waiting this long to make acceptance decisions.

Myth: Admissions decisions and enrollment targets are effected by the budget reductions

Fact:  Western's admissions process and timeline for decisions is no different than in years past. In fact, the only difference is that we began notifying students a month earlier this year (November 1 vs. December 1).  Our policy has been for many years that students are admitted on a rolling basis with all decisions being finalized within 4-6 weeks of the application deadline at the latest. (Mid-April in this case).  We do not have any early decision policy and students applying in the fall have no better chance of hearing back any sooner than students who apply after them.

Western utilizes a comprehensive review process which takes into consideration all aspects of a students potential including their course rigor, grade trends, GPA, test scores, personal essay, and any additional information the student wishes to submit.  The application is reviewed by several parties before a final decision is made.  It is common practice to hold off on making some decisions until we have a better picture of the applicant pool for the year.  We do not want to make all of our admissions decisions before we know the overall size and competitiveness of our applicants, as this varies somewhat from year to year.  Students are also able to submit additional information and updated transcripts with their senior year grades during this time which can definitely help to improve the strength of their application.

Our enrollment targets for Fall 2009 are the same as they were for Fall 2008. 

In various places (especially the online comments to WWU budget-related stories in the Bellingham Herald, made by some pretty disgruntled people) there is a persisting claim that WWU has re-hired recently retired administrators; my favorite is that ex-President Morse is still on our payroll. Is this fact or fiction, rumor or truth?

Dear "bernieh":

Recently retired administrators, faculty, and other staff sometimes agree to stay on at WWU on a part-time basis to assist with transitional situations or to provide short term programmatic assistance. Some other retired employees have contract provisions that reward longevity or provide payments for vacation leave, thus extending payroll beyond the official retirement date.

In the case of President Emeritus Morse, she remains a tenured faculty member in Western’s Chemistry Department until February 1, 2010. Under the terms of a final contract negotiated by the Board of Trustees, with regard to transition from her Presidency, President Emeritus Morse remains on paid leave status from September 1, 2008 through February 1, 2010.

Paula

SWEET!!!  Where do I sign up to get a year and a half of paid leave after I retire?

How many actual working people's jobs could we have kept with this money?  I have a hard time reconciling this with the "Excellence at Western" that I always heard so much about from Ms. Morse.