President Meehan’s Address

Annual Faculty / Staff Meeting

August 25, 2008

 

Welcome to the “Wild Wild West.” And you thought this was Jacksonville State University. Our Go Leaders and Faculty Mentors do an outstanding job making sure that our new students receive the best possible orientation. We wanted you to see what they built with their own hands and a little part of what they performed for our new students and their parents.

 

This summer during orientation our parents and guests made a number of observations that we often take for granted. They were impressed by the cleanliness and beauty of our campus and we are fortunate to have a staff for our physical plant that takes great pride in what they do inside and outside of our buildings. Parents are always impressed by the friendliness of our faculty, staff and students.

 

Many of you served on the teams that put into place our new operating systems in “Banner” and “Luminus.” I know that you have spent countless hours programming, working, and creating these new software systems. Now, thanks to your labor, we are running well and looking very good. Another observation that so many parents pointed out to us this summer was the design of our website. They spoke about how easy it was to navigate and how user friendly it was in comparison to our peer universities. Most importantly, parents and new students are meeting us on the web to see JSU long before they even plan a visit to campus. Thanks to your efforts, we look as good on the web as we do in person.

 

Before I forget, I have been asked to remind you of the items we have placed in your seats. If you are not sitting on it, you have a United Way form to designate your pledge as Mr. Whitmore, Mrs. Horton and Mr. McFry have indicated. Our campus has always been a generous contributor to those in need and your consideration is deeply appreciated.

 

Our Capital Campaign… “The Power of 125” concludes its five-year run in December. Mr. Serviss and his staff wanted me to remind you that there is still time to join the success of that celebration by making a pledge. Although I don’t want to take away any excitement about the ending announcement, we have been very successful in some of our projects such as scholarships where the goal has been exceeded by 396%, the Fund for Excellence has exceeded its goal and funds for professorships and chairs have reached 86% of its goal.  You can also participate by purchasing a copy of the 125 History of JSU, a book that our faculty and staff have contributed to in celebration of this special anniversary.

 

Also you will find faculty and staff ticket information in your chairs. The cost of this year’s season football tickets have been significantly reduced for you and I hope you take advantage of this opportunity.

This year we made great strides in many areas, but most importantly our quality. The Department of Communication is our newest programmatic accreditation by unanimous and unconditional acceptance to the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). With this unit’s programs accredited, JSU has achieved accreditations for 80% of its programs that can receive accreditation. That means that we have the greatest number of accredited programs among all of Alabama’s regional universities.

Our Master of Science in Computer Systems and Software Design was ranked the number two "best buy" among sixty-seven online masters programs in computer science and information technology offered by regionally accredited institutions in the USA. GetEducated.com compiled the ranking and is a consumer watchdog and advocacy group that for the last 19 years has rated, ranked, and verified the cost, quality and credibility of online colleges and universities.

The College of Commerce and Business Administration received reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). In addition, the College received a commendation by the AACSB for its Center for Economic Development and Small Business Development Center’s significant community outreach and economic development activities. As if that were not enough, the College was listed again by the Princeton Review among the Best Colleges of Business and as the number two university in the United States for offering business opportunities to women.

Another benchmark of quality has been JSU’s success in faculty participation as Fulbright Scholars. Our Fulbright participation began almost twenty years ago with      Dr. Adrian Aveni’s first trip to Wuhan University in China and our success has grown so much that last year only the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa had more Fulbright Scholars than JSU.

We are very proud of our faculty and staff for the recognition they earn. We are proud that our faculty administered program has named outstanding faculty in May 2008: Dr. Guillermo Francia, III, the Earlon and Betty McWhorter Outstanding Teacher Award; Mrs. Sandra Sudduth, the Cleo and Carla Thomas Community Service Award; Dr. Rob Landry, the Faculty Scholar Lecture Award; Dr. Miriam Hill, the Roy and Ruth Ringer Award for Scholarship, Community Service and Exemplary Teaching; Our staff Personnel Council recognized Mrs. Ester Uesry as JSU Employee of the Year for 2007 in December.   

 

Jacksonville State University is very much in the business of people. The University Goals, which you updated this year through a broad based survey, indicate that people are first. Those updated goals are:

1. Educate students to be productive, responsible citizens and

 effective leaders.

2. Advance student learning through academic excellence.

3. Increase student and faculty participation in research and service activities.

4. Create a diverse learning community that facilitates academic and professional excellence.

5. Effectively use technology to support learning, research, information management and evidence-based decision-making.

6. Continuously improve administrative processes and services.

7. Enhance revenue growth and financial planning to ensure adequate fiscal resources for the university.

All of Alabama’s educational institutions are facing a reduced budget for the next fiscal year because of the economic downturn and its impact on Alabama’s Education Trust Fund. Jacksonville State University has lost 10.07% of last years appropriation ($4,966,900).  The average reduction for Alabama’s colleges and universities is 11.2%.

Although we are fairing better than other universities, the economic forecast is for proration that may be as great as 4 %to 5% or another $2.2 million above and beyond the reductions already experienced.

 

In order to prepare for next year we have made necessary reductions:

 

·        Elimination of funding for positions that were vacant, unfilled, in the amount of $1,034,578

·        Associated fringe benefits for the above positions $468,457

·        Reduction of existing operating budgets in the amount of $1,744,032

·        Establishment of a “proration reserve” of $1,374, 794 (3.1% of state appropriations)

We are fortunate to have funding from the following:

·        Funding from auxiliary operations $350,000 (bookstore, food service, telecommunications)

·        Funding from the JSU Foundation $200,000

·        Additional revenue from the increased tuition and fees approved by the Board in April 2008

 

These reductions significantly impact Jacksonville State University just as costs for health insurance, energy and retirement benefits are increasing. Increases in retirement costs for 2008-09 are projected by the Retirement Systems of Alabama to be $437,234 and for health insurance $197,280 is the projected increase for PEEHIP.

 

I want to be very clear that benefits and salaries will not be cut. Funds for promotion in faculty ranks and step raises for staff are in place for next year. Professional development funds are also in place for research and travel. In addition, I will ask the Board to approve the Tuition Assistance Plan developed by the University Committee last year. This plan will significantly increase the benefits for tuition assistance already in place.

 

I commend the members of the University Budget Committee, the vice presidents, and others for their assistance in developing this budget. I also want to express my appreciation to our JSU students and their parents and families. Our tuition increase represents an additional burden on Jacksonville State University students and our reductions mean a sacrifice for our faculty and staff. The economy has forced these reductions; however, I believe we have built the best budget possible in order to maintain the quality of the educational experience at JSU.

 

I also want to talk about a project that I know that all of you have discussed in one way or another. That is the Stadium / Housing Project. It is two projects and I think that fact has often been lost.

 

The demand for university housing remains strong despite the new apartments built in Jacksonville. A student housing market study for JSU was completed by Anderson Strickler, LLC last year. It indicated strong support for additional University housing and recommended building 400-425 beds in suite-style housing. Anderson Strickler’s survey of JSU students indicated that 79% of the respondents preferred or found acceptable a 2 single bedroom suite with private bath while 75% preferred or found acceptable a 4 single bedroom suite with semi-private bathrooms. The survey also indicated that off-campus market rents ranging from a low of $273 to a high of $630 per month are within the range of acceptability to our students.

 

The current debt structure for the university’s residence halls will be reduced significantly by the end of this fiscal year. Over the last nine years we have razed four of the University’s former dormitories: Abercrombie Hall, Rowan Hall, Luttrell Hall, and Weatherly Hall. Together these had more than 400 beds but with old style rooms, community baths and lavatory facilities. Unfortunately, these are not the preference of today’s students especially for the student we want to attract to JSU. The Chronicle of Higher Education featured a front-page article April 8, 2008 that spoke to the fact that students today are making their choice of a university on their perception of the quality of student housing. Even The Birmingham News featured an article July 12, 2008 about apartment style housing at Auburn University in which a mother warned her son “that when he graduates, his new living conditions will probably be a step down from those he has grown accustomed to during his school days.” The University must add 400 beds to campus housing in a suite-style arrangement with a mixture of two and four single bedroom suites if we are to remain a residential campus with a strong student life program.

 

Five years after joining the Ohio Valley Conference JSU has been very successful. Our student-athletes and coaches have won 32 OVC championships. This is almost double the number of championships won by the second most winning OVC university in the same time frame. Whether you are a football fan or not it is the one sport that draws more attention from fans and media than any of our intercollegiate sports. Even the talk about one player can make a difference. Last week I was told we had already sold-out of our “Red Seats” for the 2008 season. I have been impressed with the attention that our stadium plans have drawn from a variety of sectors. The plans include specialized seating and premium space as well as meeting areas that can be used by all segments of the University throughout the year.

 

The key to these projects is that they must pay for themselves. The housing project debt will be paid for by the rental of units all year long. The stadium expansion must be paid for by ticket sales, specialized seating sales, sponsorships, game guarantees, and athletic fund raising. It makes sense to combine these projects, as they have features that would have to be built separately but together infrastructure costs can be reduced. Parking lots, elevators, access ways are common elements to each project. In addition, we will look for “green” (environmental saving) features where possible.

 

The studies that have been completed about the development and the architectural design of the project have been shared with the president of the Faculty Senate. So that we all don’t choke Dr. Cunningham’s e-mail system to complete failure, I will ask that we add these documents to the website so all members of our community can review them.

 

This year our Division of Student Affairs plans a special convocation for our new students. If weather permits this will be tomorrow night, Tuesday August 26^th in Paul Snow Stadium followed by a picnic at the Alumni House where we would like you and your family to join us at 7:00 p.m. If the remains of hurricane Fay bring rain we will be in the Coliseum. I hope you and your family will join us to welcome our new students to the JSU family.

 

Two more reminders: please have your picture made for our yearbook at the back of the auditorium, and remember to vote in tomorrow’s city elections. We have good candidates, some of them right here at JSU, who deserve your support.

 

I look forward to a great year together. Our students are waiting and thanks to you we are ready!

 

 

 

 

 

Attachments

Click on the links below to view and download the pdf documents:

 

Stadium Additions and Living Units for Jacksonville State University

 

JSU Athletics Market Survey (May 15-July 15, 2008) 

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