Vol. XXIV No. 1 Jan. 5, 1994 Editor: Maureen Smith (612) 624-2801 This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. Call University Relations at (612) 624-6868. Nine budget scenarios were presented by VP Erickson and associate VP Richard Pfutzenreuter at a joint meeting of Senate Committee on Finance and Planning and Faculty Consultative Committee (FCC) Dec. 21. Each option contained different assumptions about salary increases, tuition increases, nonsalary inflationary increases, and the size of a strategic investment pool (SIP). Detailed summary of the discussion is in the committee minutes. One big variable is facilities costs, VP Erickson said. Whether winter is cold or mild, and whether summer is hot or cool, has a significant effect on utility costs; in recent years the U has been lucky in this respect. If the U begins to provide more access as part of U 2000, that will mean keeping buildings open longer. If classes can be clustered, Erickson said, not only can amenities be increased but utility costs can be controlled. Accomplishing this would require faculty cooperation in scheduling. Actual cost of delivering a 6% salary increase to faculty and staff was debated. Some said it could be as small as 4% when turnovers and vacancies are accounted for; others expressed great doubt that it could be that little. Historically, someone said, when units were provided the full percentage, the actual raises delivered were higher because of increases on vacant lines and turnover. FCC has said 6% increases should be funded, but it was not clear whether this meant delivering a full 6% to units or giving them whatever it takes to give 6% raises. One committee member outlined several premises that seemed to win general endorsement: a 6% salary increase (6% received), $3.5 million for nonsalary inflation, and 3.5% tuition increase, plus 1.5% to create seed money for the SIP. The SIP funded by a 1.5% tuition increase would be a down payment on U 2000; the SIP would be more generously funded in 1995-96, after the planning cycle is completed and more information is available. The SIP for 1994-95 would be used for quality increases, in line with the agreement with ,the legislature. The retrenchment question for 1994-95 is the size of the SIP, a committee member said. The 2 committees have spoken for a small SIP next year and larger ones thereafter, but the regents apparently favor a larger SIP. Numbers have to be put on the table and it isn't fun, VP Erickson said, but despite the "doom and gloom" that have pervaded the U recently, he remains optimistic about its future. It is wrestling with problems that have faced it for a long time, and they will be dealt with. Settlement was reached last week between the U and 5 professors who turned 70 between July 1, 1993, and Dec. 31, 1993, when a federal law ended all mandatory retirements of college professors solely for reasons of age. Chester Anderson, Eva Keuls, Andrew MacLeish, Paul Murphy, and Ivan Policoff will all teach for at least another year and will retain full tenure rights. The 5 had threatened a lawsuit when the regents voted in November to extend the mandatory retirement policy through Dec. 31; the faculty members had seen at least 4 printed documents earlier stating that mandatory retirements would end July 1 and had planned according! y. Minnesota Poll conducted statewide by the Star Tribune and WCCO-TV in December shows that, despite a year of unfavorable headlines, most Minnesotans still believe the U is doing a good or excellent job of educating students. A majority, 55%, said the U does a good job, and 12% called it excellent. Only 2% said poor, and 18% said only fair. More than a third, 34%, said the Medical School is better than most other medical schools (compared with 45% in 1967); the largest group, 43%, said the quality is the same, and only I 4% said it is worse. More than half, 51%, said they would vote to spend more tax money on the U if they were in the legislature. That's 20 percentage points higher than in 1953, when the same question was asked. But 24% said they would spend less, compared with only 10% 40 years ago. I Commission on Women invites proposals for projects that further its goal to improve and enhance the [ working and learning environment for U women. Grants of up to $2,000 each will be awarded. This year the commission especially encourages proposals on mentoring. Projects that recognize diversity, cut across institutional boundaries of staff, student, or faculty status, and involve collaboration among units and constituencies are also encouraged. Application deadline is Feb. 2. For an application, call Jessica Morgan at (612) 624-8283. Search. pr~cess for director o~ the Minnesota Sea Grant College Program is in the final stage. Open meetings with the 3 ~mahsts .are s.cheduled m 303 Johnston Hall, Minneapolis, Jan. 13 at noon (Mike McDonald, Department of Chenncal Engmeermg at Duluth); Jan. 13 at 1:30 p.m. (Randy Hicks, Department of Biology at Duluth); and Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. (Pat Brezonik, Water Resources Research Center on TC campus). New. ~r re-yised polici~~ for Academic Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and Academic Professional and Admmtstrattve Staff Pollctes and Procedures Manual are now on the fileserver 1and the AIS Public Access Bulletin Board: TA English Program, Stopping the Clock (revised form), Part-Time Benefits (revised form), Grievance Policy, Single-Quarter Leave Quota '94-95. For more information call (612) 624-9817. Business Services training brochure was mailed to area class managers and area managers in mid-December. Brochure outlines free courses available to U employees who handle travel arrangements, complete College and University Financial System (CUFS) forms, or need to find answers on-line about department accounts. If you have not received a brochure or want more information call (612) 626-1373. CROOKSTON-U International program officers will visit UMC Jan. 6. Schedule includes a meeting with faculty, administrators, and staff at 10:45 a.m. in Conference Center ABC; 1:15 p.m. session with students in Bede ballroom; and 2 p.m. open session about study abroad opportunities. Topics include internationalization of curriculum, grant support, and study abroad. DULUTH-Sen. Dave Durenberger will be on campus Jan. 7 to discuss a number of federal higher education initiatives, including Direct Loan (UMD is one of only 105 institutions nationwide chosen to participate), the National Community Services Trust Act, and health care as it applies to medical schools. For more information contact Graham Tobin at (218) 726-7578 or Teri Johnson at 726-6285. Helen "Mitzi" Doane has been named dean of the College of Education and Human Service Professions. Doane, an associate professor of psychology, served as acting dean while search was in progress. "I am delighted at the choice of Mitzi Doane," Chancellor Ianni said. "She has established an outstanding record in her acting position and gives me every confidence that she will provide the energy and leadership that is required." Ken Foxworth, minority student adviser who is running from St. Paul to Duluth for minority student scholarships, celebrated Christmas at the White House Dec. 17. Foxworth was one of 200 guests at the festivities and was photographed with the Clintons in front of the Christmas tree. For more information about his "Run for Excellence" and a pledge card, call the development office at (218) 726-7989. TWIN CITIE5-New cancer research projects and completion of the Cancer Center's fund drive were announced at a news conference yesterday (Jan. 4). The drive, begun in 1991, has raised $30.5 million from almost 1,000 corporate, foundation, and individual donors, surpassing its original goal of $30 million. Governor Carlson declared Jan. 4 University of Minnesota Cancer Center Day. Construction of the 4-story research facility will begin in February and will be completed in 1995. Funds will also be used to recruit faculty for endowed chairs. Award-winning Steeles will headline the U's 13th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Concert Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Ted Mann Concert Hall. Free tickets are available on campus at St. Paul Student Center Union Station, West Bank Skyway service center, and Coffman Union information desk, or may be picked up in person at all Ticketmaster outlets. Additional music by the Reginald Buckner Memorial Ensemble. Alumni association will present a pregame Border Battle Blast before the Gopher hockey game against Wisconsin Jan. 9 at Target Center. Gopher coaches, cheerleaders, and the marching band will entertain at the lunch buffet starting at noon in rooms C and Don the suite level. Cost is $8.50. Call (612) 624-2323. Civil service preretirement seminar will be offered by Employee Benefits Jan. 24 and 31, with afternoon session 2- 4 p.m., evening session 5-7 p.m. Topics include MSRS, Social Security, Medicare, health insurance continuation, and more. Register at (612) 624-9090 (press option 4). Spouses or significant others are welcome. Office of student affairs salutes the thousands of U employees and students who contributed to the success of the Thank U Community Food Drive. Equivalent of more than 60,000 food items was collected (including items purchased with monetary donations). Examples: Gopher football coaches and players contributed $2,500, students in the residence halls participated in a food fast Nov. 22 that resulted in a donation of $1,500 from Ho:using Services, members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Kappa Kappa Gamma joined forces and went door-to-door m the local community to collect food.