McPhee's response and recommendations for budget cuts on The Murfreesboro Post

Sidebar Ads

McPhee's response and recommendations for budget cuts

Related Articles

Small-business center partners with bank to boost state exports

Upcoming Etowah festival created by MTSU student

FirstSTEP seeds help students grow

Income inequality largely permanent, study suggests

INSIDE MTSU: Women to take flight of their lives

MTSU international education surges to all-time high

New funds help Center for Popular Music share history

Family promotes pastime for community

MTSU alum Guyes accepts Israel Fulbright Scholar offer

MTSU, Nashville State partner on criminal justice program

View All

By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer

Posted: Thursday, March 19, 2009 5:12 pm

Some things are saved, others still on the chopping block as MTSU tries to balance its budget, university President Sidney McPhee said in his response to proposed cuts.

“The university will be required to fundamentally restructure how it currently operates to successfully address the challenges and opportunities,” he wrote.

McPhee released his response Thursday afternoon, but warned these are only his recommendations and some warrant further study. To read the entire response, click here.

“As such, it would be too early in some cases, to fully determine the impact of a number of these recommendations until they are explored more fully and final decisions are made regarding their implementation,” he said.

McPhee also said anticipated stimulus funds will not fix MTSU’s budget woes in the long run and some changes must be made now to off set problems in the future.

“Although the availability of anticipated federal stimulus dollars won’t solve the long-term budget challenges that we will inevitably have to face, these funds will give the University a more extended period of time to make difficult budget decisions, and help us to avoid immediate layoffs and furloughs,” he said.

McPhee did recommend eliminating 23 majors and concentrations, including concentrations in agricultural communication, plant biology, environmental health and safety, medical physics, astronomy, public finance, art history and outdoor recreation, along with bachelor of science concentrations in French, German and Spanish.

Concentrations in geography, geology, sociology, anthropology, public administration, and pre-law will be reviewed, along with majors in philosophy and environmental science.

Concentrations in applications of math, Jazz studies, communication studies and media design will be consolidated or merged into other programs.

Concentrations in electrical construction management and health education, along with majors in office management, family and consumer science education, global studies, and recreation and leisure studies will not be eliminated.

McPhee will also consider restructuring the entire university into three academic colleges.

Some of McPhee’s further recommendations are as follows:

- Seriously considering faculty reductions, but not in a “one size fits all” approach. The administration will work with college deans to determine the best approach.

- The Farm Lab will not be cut, but efforts must be made to balance its budget.

- Seriously considering creating a Media Center to house Sidelines, WMOT, WMTS, Channel 10, Collage and SR Records. But WMOT and Sidelines must take steps to become self-sufficient.

- Will not merge the Center for Popular Music and Walker Library, will not change Walker Library’s hours of operation and will not eliminate a librarian job.

- Creating a three-semester school year and allowing for 6-week mini courses is under consideration.

- Seriously considering the elimination of June Anderson Women’s Center and Off-Campus Services.

- Will not eliminate the Greek Life Director.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.

Tagged under Economy, MTSU

Member Opinions:

By: Farmall on 3/20/09
I am awful tired of these afirmitive action presidents at MTSU.

By: in2deep on 3/20/09
Farmall, I question what you are using as a foundation for your statement….
I am confused with your use of the term "affirmative action", secondly I question that you spelled "affirmative" incorrectly, and third I would like to know how you think trying to provide equality (which is the definition of "affirmative action") is a bad thing? The proposed cuts have been considered, reconsidered and then reconsidered again by many people smarter than you and I. Basically, I just think your response has no merit and I don't even think you know what you are trying to say. You are confused if you think being “awful tired of these afirmitive (sp) action presidents at MTSU” actually means anything. Your words are empty, confusing and honestly just silly. Can you provide more information as to why you feel this way? Please remember, this is not a personal attack on you. It is a question from someone that is confused as to your method of thinking, because honestly, I do not understand. Please elaborate.

By: devolver on 3/20/09
in2deep, ya made me chuckle

By: barrettbear on 3/20/09
It is going to get deep Devolver.