The CSN Chronicle
Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for March 2011. Spring semester this year is unusually busy and the Legislature continues its deliberations.
Work Climate Survey
Survey results are summarized here for your information. The committee, chaired by Professor Janice Glasper, has released the high and low lights of the survey. The results of the survey have been presented to members of the Work Climate Survey Committee for review and for recommendations to the administration. Members of the Committee are: Vartouhi Asherian, Jennifer Basquiat, Kevin Boyle, Janice Glasper, Taylor Gray, Deborah Harbour, Cat Maihen, Troy McGinnis, Larue Mcquin, Garry Moon, Thill (Raghu) Raghunath, Robin Roques, Tracy Sherman, Gillian Silver-Rodis, Debbie Tanner, Stan Vernooy, Diane Waryas, Carla Wright, and Laura Yavitz. The survey is on CSN’s Institutional Research website and will include a completely anonymous form to be used for any responses.
Committee members have been asked to suggest ideas for change that would benefit/improve the climate for the colleagues we serve. The chair of the committee has asked the members to consult with their colleagues and return to the next meeting, March 31, with their ideas and recommendations. If you are not contacted directly, seek out a member of the committee with your suggestions.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
The Nevada/California region of Phi Theta Kappa held its annual Regional Conference in Foster City, CA March 4-6. Alpha Xi Beta, CSN’s chapter led by Jacob Elison and Bruno Rhodes, worked diligently last year to achieve the goals as set forth by Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education. Our officers’ and members’ efforts paid off Saturday night when they were presented with the following awards:
- Five Star Award for Chapter Development
- Chapters United Award (Working with other chapters)
- Chapter Officer Team Award – 2nd place
- Honors In Action: Issue 10 History and the Future – 2nd place
- Regional Project : Make A Difference Day (MADD) – 2nd place
- Regional Project : Project Read
- Regional Project : Human Trafficking
- Yearbook Project Award -2nd place
Additionally, Public Relations Secretary, Shara Hinden, was elected Regional Vice-President of Nevada. With 96 chapters in the Nevada/California region, Alpha Xi Beta and its 260+ members is once again a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations Alpha Xi Beta! You cannot do better than Five Stars!
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Budget Outlook: Mid-Session View
- The Legislature has received the Executive Budget Recommendations, and is holding hearings on aspects of the recommendation that affect higher education. NSHE’s final hearing is on March 22nd.
- Governor’s position of no tax increases, only cuts, remains his policy;
- A 5% salary rollback for state employees (excluding K-12 teachers) in lieu of furloughs, and increased retirement contributions appear likely;
- CSN has presented to the Board of Regents a preliminary scenario that includes higher tuition and fees, and less access for students. This scenario is the same one provided to faculty, staff and students;
- Planning for a budget cut continues at CSN, but we’re not issuing multiple budget scenarios. We know we’ll be on a rollercoaster ride for six months.
Congratulations!!
At the March Board of Regents meeting, tenure recommendations were approved for the following individuals:
Ms. Simone Brito Ms. Shirley Marie Johnston
Ms. Patricia Charlton Dr. Peter Denham Lanagan
Dr. Charles Deitrich Dr. Maria Moya
Mr. Ronald Gonzalez Dr. Vasile Munteanu
Ms. Susan Gregg Mr. William H. Neff
Ms. Mary Hackie Ms. Karen L. Shaw
Ms. Karen Hyman Dr. Cynthia Shroba
Ms. Lee Hyun Mi
Congratulations to these members of the CSN community!
Rumor Control:
Below are some of the latest rumors we have heard and need to address:
- Financial exigency will be declared and tenured faculty will lose their jobs.
- CSN’s position is that financial exigency will not be declared, based on what we know about the budget at this time. Tenured faculty positions have not been at risk for the past three years and through many budget cut cycles. We do not expect any change on the matter.
- CSN has publically declared that jobs and students are our priorities during times of retrenchment. These priorities have not changed.
- Some CSN executives no longer serve in their positions.
- The current array of executives is fully in place and nothing has changed.
- If changes were to occur, you’d hear from me.
- Employee benefits will be cut more.
- The benefit situation is part of the fluid budget process. We are expecting cuts as indicated in various communications from HR and from my office.
- NSHE staff and institutional representatives have been researching benefit programs and comparing benefit plans. Early results find that CSN and other higher education employees are disadvantaged by current plans. NSHE staff are exploring other options, such as broader employee pools.
- Developments on the benefits issue will be fully communicated; as we know more, we’ll share it.
Many of the rumors you hear are panic thinking and may be spread by self aggrandizing people. My phone number is 651-5600. If you want to check on a rumor, call me. I’ll tell you.
Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:
“What is the enrollment picture for spring semester?”
We have submitted census data as of March 15th. Headcount enrollment was down 4.27 percent over the same period last year, and FTE was down 1.27 percent. This spring, 41,577 students were enrolled or 21,814 FTE.
–Mike Richards