University Chronicle [May 2020]
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
St. Cloud State University theRepository at St. Cloud State Chronicle Student Publications 5-2020 University Chronicle [May 2020] St. Cloud State University Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron Recommended Citation St. Cloud State University, "University Chronicle [May 2020]" (2020). Chronicle. 5. https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/5 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Publications at theRepository at St. Cloud State. It has been accepted for inclusion in Chronicle by an authorized administrator of theRepository at St. Cloud State. For more information, please contact [email protected]. #BETHE- LIGHTMN university chronicle Page 8 Information wants to be free May 2020 Edition Publication 95 Vol. 8 St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN www.universitychron.com universitychron @UniversityChron SCSU SCRAMBLES TO MAKE UP LOST CASH By Tim Speier “If you think about the new incoming students in the metrics Investigative Reporter that we have set in place in order to achieve our goals, we are hitting As enrollment at colleges and them, we are looking really, really universities drops across the solid,” said Woods. country, St. Cloud State University The University has dropped their announced a second round of Board registration fee and has stepped up Early Separation Incentives (BESI). recruiting to help achieve their goals. In a town hall meeting presented The recruiting that would normally to faculty and staff on April take place in June and July is now on 24, President Robbyn Wacker, track for May. Although, getting new Provost Daniel Gregory, and Vice students is not the only concern the President for Strategic Enrollment university has. Management Jason Woods talked “ The numbers that are giving about the additional changes needed us the most challenges right now to cover the projected shortfalls of are coming from our [returning the fiscal year (FY) budget. students], and that’s both from the In their pre-Coronavirus budget summer session and also for our fall meeting held at the beginning of [session],” said Woods. March, the University was looking These shortfalls in enrollment are to close the $13 million projected not just hitting SCSU. On April 22, operational gap for FY21 with Minnesota State (MINNSTATE) BESIs. held its Board of Trustees Meeting. In Those BESIs would be offered to that meeting the board estimates that employees that are over 55-years-old Husky Plaza shining bright amid an empty campus. Photo credit: Anna Panek the system wide short-term financial and have worked for the University cost incurred due to the pandemic for over five years. would be around $26 million. This In that first round of BESIs, there “As we started to hit the COVID-19 That number will include the 74 accept the BESI will have a last date of includes student safety in dorms at were 86 offers sent out before spring pandemic, and as we started to look that did not accept the first wave employment of June 9, 2020. $17 million, student support services break with the University looking at what some of the scenarios are, the of BESIs offered in March. The With the pandemic wreaking havoc at $3.2 million, academic and staff to take up to 33 accepted offers. Of President decided very quickly here University will identify areas where on the current semester, enrollment for continuity support at $5.3 million, those 86, 12 were accepted and the in the last week or so that we were they will be able to reduce salary both the summer and fall semesters have and estimated revenue lost at $7 to University will pay $988,160 in total going to move as an institution with and benefit costs, areas of “enhanced a projected shortfall of 15 percent when $10 million. for the BESI incentives and will the second phase of BESIs,” Gregory efficiencies,” and areas where there they start. The University’s operations “As of April 13, our total direct reportedly save the University $2.48 said during the town hall. is a need to reallocate resources. budget is partially covered through impact of additional expenses and million from FY21 to FY23. After The first wave of BESIs were not The second round of BESIs will student tuition, the decline means that lost revenue ranges from $35 million FY23, the expected savings would related to the Coronavirus. have the same incentive as the first the projected shortfalls could be larger to $40 million the remainder of this be $884,705 per fiscal year. During Wacker’s town hall held round which will be a 50 percent or smaller depending on enrollment fiscal year,” states the April board The second round of BESIs on April 27, SCSU’s Chief Human salary or 2.5 percent per year of numbers. meeting packet. were announced the week of April Resources Officer Michael Freer service, whichever one is higher. Although those numbers are currently The board estimates system wide, 20 during the budget town hall in said that the second round would Those letters were mailed out on short of that 15 percent, the University is if the enrollment dropped between 5 response to the additional shortfalls be larger than the first with between April 29 with responses needed by hoping to not only get to their projection, to 20 percent there would be a loss of related to the pandemic. “175 and 185” offer letters sent out. 4:30 p.m. on May 19. Those that but to further reduce them. between $74 to $279 million. Students are allowed to switch to S/U grading anytime between April Students have option to switch grading methods 10 and May 29, meaning you may see your final grades before making a decision. By switching to S/U By Tony Langfellow “Before we made a decision receive “S” method via their personal eservices grading, it won’t impact a student’s about altering our grading format, Letter grades of D+ or lower will account. cumulative GPA or GPA for the Editor-In-Chief we gathered information about receive “U” Option 1: No change, keep traditional current semester. how the Universities of Minnesota For graduate students: grading It is also possible for students to St. Cloud State University and Wisconsin as well as other Letter grades of C or higher will If students choose to use traditional have any number of their courses announced that it is going to give universities were changing their receive “S” letter grades as their preferred method, switched to S/U while others can stay students the option this spring approach, consulted with a wide Letter grades of C- or lower will they do not have to indicate anything to traditional. It is important to note that semester to either keep traditional range of licensing and accrediting receive “U” their professors or advisors and they will once a student chooses S/U grading, letter grades for their classes or change agencies, Faculty Association Students have the opportunity be graded as originally proposed at the you will be unable to switch back to to a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) leadership, deans and faculty and to choose their preferred grading beginning of the semester. the original grading format. grading method. Student Government leadership,” method for any of their courses The section for “Option 1” on the grade The switch to S/U grading gives The option to change grading the email read. between April 10 and May 29. information webpage says no change students a chance to protect their formats comes as a result of St. Wacker and Gregory said it is PSEO and Senior to Sophomore may be possible for, “some programs as cumulative GPA who may be in Cloud State among other colleges highly recommended that students (S2S) program students will have to a condition of licensing or accreditation” unexpected circumstances where and universities switching abruptly talk with their advisors about the decide by May 15. and it might be required for students who distance learning may be difficult, to completely online or alternative two proposed grading methods Wacker and Gregory provided intend to continue their education for a however, this option does not drop or learning formats due to the outbreak about which one would be good for a link in their announcement for graduate/professional degree. raise GPA in any way. of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). particular courses. information about each grading Students that are concerned about a If students receive “S” as their grade, The anticipated grading If undergraduate students choose method, including the positive and higher Grade Point Average (GPA) in it will count towards graduation, announcement was made to students to change their grading method to negative possibilities of switching to their transcript are encouraged to choose however, if students receive “U” for via their HuskyNet email accounts S/U, the grading will be determined S/U grading. no change to their grading, since S/U their grade, then it does not count April 3 from President Robbyn as follows: Students interested in switching to grading does not move a student’s GPA. towards graduation and the course Wacker and Provost Daniel Gregory. Letter grades of C- or higher will S/U grading are able to change their Option 2: Change to S/U grading will be considered failed. also FIRE TAKES AWAY COSTANZO NAMED GAME CONTEST! ULTIMATE SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR see page 11 inside: BAR page 5 page 12 Designed by Caitlyn Jordan university chronicle Page 2 NEWS May 2020 Edition www.universitychron.com Zoom bombing and how to protect yourself Zoom becomes the new classroom and draws unexpected guests.