CMU Leadership Institute facing cuts, money saved to be put toward scholarships, financial aid

At least one position in Central Michigan University’s Leadership Institute will be cut, and work to consolidate the program’s staff has already begun.

The institute’s half-time office professional currently handling administrative duties will be eliminated and the job divided between the office of Student Life and the Dean of Students’ office, said Steve Smith, director of public relations.

The institute has not experienced a reduction in funding from state appropriations but it has been affected by campus programming funding cuts, he said.

“I don’t know what the cost saving from the consolidation is,” Smith said. “I know the money will be funneled into scholarships and financial aid.”

Concerns about the future of the institute arose in early March when the Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group recommendations were published. Those involved with the Leadership Institute were informed by university officials that cuts to expenses may have to be made, but the program itself will remain.

Despite the recent funding cuts, Dan Gaken, interim director of the Leadership Institute, said the program is not going anywhere. Gaken said the institute is reorganizing and consolidating staff, but is not making any major cuts.

“After our director, Dyke Heinze, retired in early January, we started a consolidation of the program,” Gaken said. “There haven’t been any eliminations yet. (The changes are) just a result of retirement.”

Gaken, whose title was coordinator of student leadership development, said he will continue with his current duties and add those of the director to his job description.

Because of the economy, the financial aid office is experiencing increased pressure from students seeking help to pay for school, Smith said.

“They need a software update and need to increase staff,” Smith said.

Smith did not know of any other university departments cutting costs to help Scholarships and Financial Aid.

“We’re committed as a university to maintaining the program with the same robustness as in the past, and we’ll continue to offer the same opportunities for students in the program,” Smith said.