The vice president for government relations and public affairs recently received the year’s top honor from the Michigan affiliate of the American Council on Education Network.

She was one of two women honored with the Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award on June 8 during the 2010 Michigan ACE annual conference in Lansing.

The award acknowledges women who have made a positive impact on colleges around Michigan.

“I was very honored and very humbled,” Wilbur said. “I hope an award I’m lucky enough to receive can show other women their work can be recognized as well.”

Wilbur said she was surprised to receive the award because of all the other hard working women in Michigan.

She said her time as interim president was a terrific opportunity to learn about the university.

Wilbur said there is a great chance for women to excel in higher education.

“It was kind of nice to have my work validated and recognized,” Wilbur said.

Martha Warfield, associate vice president for diversity and inclusion at Western Michigan University, also received the award.

Wilbur served as Central Michigan University’s interim president from July of 2009 until February.

She has served as CMU’s vice president for government relations and public affairs since 2002, and in doing so, has represented the university in Lansing and Washington, D.C.

Amy McGinnis, director of strategy and resource development at Human Resources, served as an institutional representative for the ACE network and took nominations for the honor.

McGinnis helped evaluate and select Wilbur.

“I see her as a role model,” McGinnis said. “I’m so proud that someone from Central got this award.”

McGinnis said Wilbur has done a great job of advancing the university.

Wilbur was the first woman in Michigan history to lead three different state government departments, according to a press release.

She led the former departments of Licensing and Regulation, Commerce and directed the former Department of Consumer and Industry Services.

“(Wilbur) was well-deserved of this state-wide award,” McGinnis said.

The former interim university president ended her term that day, giving her desk and position to George Ross, who was named CMU’s next president following December’s Board of Trustees meeting. Today is his first day.

“It’s the day I expected it to be,” Wilbur said of her last day. “You’re just trying to wrap a lot of things up and make sure that correspondence has been completed and that kind of thing.”

Wilbur, who has served as interim president since July 1, 2009, said she wrapped up and brought a lot of belongings to her office in the Bovee University Center, where she has returned as vice president of governmental relations and public affairs. She took over for Michael Rao, who served as president from 2001-09 before leaving for the same position at Virginia Commonwealth University.

While change will come, Wilbur said she expects Ross to hit the ground running with a “transition team” to help.

“I’ll continue to be involved. Dr. Ross is a very inclusive person and has a very small team,” she said. “I know Dr. Ross well enough, from having worked with him for five years before, that we will be on the front lines.”

Director of Public Relations Steve Smith said the transition team will be very useful for Ross.

“It will be an opportunity for him to use their eyes and ears to absorb the information that he needs to be able to make decisions as he moves forward,” Smith said.

Ross, formerly the vice president of Finance and Administrative Services at CMU from December 2002 to March 2007, is coming from the presidency at Alcorn State. Wilbur said his process of returning to CMU is similar to his entrance at Alcorn State, where he introduced a transition team to help him.

Ross asked Phil Squattrito, Academic Senate chairman and professor of Chemistry, and Wilbur to co-chair the transition team which will be made up of students, faculty, staff and community members. Wilbur said she expects most of the people in the group should be known by the end of spring break.

“It’s a process that will probably go on for about a year,” she said.

Budget

Wilbur said she held off on making decisions on the budget during her time as president because she feels more needs to be known.

While she wants to keep the budget process as open as possible, she said there is some need for discussion behind closed doors, as potential cuts affect personnel.

“It is the kind of process that, at times, you are talking about very sensitive issues like personnel, compensation and so it can’t be a particularly open process,” she said.

Earlier in the year, Wilbur asked for 3, 6 and 9 percent budget reduction plans from different costs centers throughout the university. She said some plans included vacant positions and materials not being used, but did look at the worst-case scenario, as well.

She said the possibility of furloughs and early retirement would be under consideration to save faculty and staff positions, though “guiding principles don’t take us down that road.”

“They presented some data that worried me of the future of this university,” she said.

The Bovee University  Center auditorium discussion touched on topics concerning the structure of Central Michigan University’s budget, reduction suggestions and ways to prevent faculty layoffs.

The auditorium was more than 75 percent full, including several students. After a presentation from the panel, the floor opened for questions. Three questions were posed.

“I was expecting more questions,” said interim University President Kathy Wilbur. “I don’t think we should pat ourselves on the back for clearing everything up.”

The panel consisted of Wilbur; Interim Provost Gary Shapiro; David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administration Services; and Toby Roth, director of Government Relations and Public Affairs.

The Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group planned four major categories for budget reductions, totaling more than $2.1 million.

The first was $595,000 held in a pool that has gone unused for years. The money was designated for senior officers, professional and administrative employees to have a one-time raise.

“The money was just sitting there,” said Steve Smith, director of Public Relations.

The second category was a $500,000 cut from the CMU 2010 Vision Plan funding. Usually, $1 million is spent each year on the project but, since this is the project’s last year, funding was cut, Shapiro said.

The third suggestion was to cut $600,000 in deferred maintenance, with the last category being a $435,000 reduction in liability reductions.

“That is $2.1 million of university savings,” Burdette said. “We think that’s pretty good.”

3, 6 and 9 percent cuts

Wilbur said she and other administrators are still considering the 3, 6 and 9 percent budget reduction suggestions she received Feb. 15 from each university budget center.

Cutting 3 percent from the budget would amount to $11,733,314, according to a slide shown during the presentation. Six percent would be $23,466,627, and 9 percent would total $35,199,941.

The percentage of cuts needed still is uncertain, Wilbur said, as there could be up to a 20 percent cut in state appropriations.

Some centers were pretty straightforward when it came to the 9 percent reduction suggestion, Wilbur said.

“We would be shutting off the lights and shutting the doors,” Wilbur said, referring to closures, in the event of 9 percent reductions.

Starting last semester, the CMU community could offer suggestions through the CMU Portal on what to cut from the budget. The suggestions were combined with the SSBAG’s suggestions. There were more than 150 in all, Shapiro said.

Central Michigan Life sent a Freedom of Information Act request earlier in the month for the suggestions. It was denied.

Wilbur said some of the suggestions, with responses, will be posted on the CMU Portal announcement section by Friday.

Future budget meetings?

Staff and faculty salaries and benefits amount to about 70 percent of the operating budget, Burdette said.

Other areas for cuts must be determined, but the university has some alternative in mind to try and avoid faculty and staff layoffs, Wilbur said.

“We will have well advanced notice if and when there are layoffs,” Burdette said.

The university has considered freezing pay rates, early retirements, furlough days and tweaking benefits, he said.

Furlough days are another way to prevent layoffs, Wilbur said.

Merodie Hancock, vice president for ProfEd, said a lot of staff members are concerned about layoffs. Everyone is looking for answers, she said.

“I’m concerned about it departmentally,” Hancock said. “We’re not highly staffed. Everyone already has a big workload.”

But Hancock said this forum laid the groundwork for future discussions.

Wilbur said this will be the first of many budget forums, in hopes of keeping the campus community updated.

Interim University President Kathy Wilbur did not have a compilation of suggested 3, 6 or 9 percent cuts to discuss as she previously planned. She received the suggestions Monday from each of CMU’s budget centers.

“I feel it’s not appropriate at this time,” Wilbur said of such a discussion. “I think we need to wait until Dr. (George) Ross gets here.”

In a January interview, Wilbur said she hoped to have a solid set of proposals to present to the Board at its February meeting. Ross was named CMU’s president-designate in December and will assume leadership March 1.

Trustees Gail Torreano and Marilyn French Hubbard were not present at the meeting, although Hubbard was on teleconference. Trustee John Hurd left about 10 minutes before the meeting adjourned.

Forum Tuesday

A budget forum will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium to address CMU’s budget in general. The forum will be the first of many, Wilbur said.

Tuesday’s forum will consist of a panel of Wilbur; interim Provost Gary Shapiro; David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administration Services; Toby Roth, director of Government Relations and Public Affairs; and Ted Tolcher, interim vice president of Development and Alumni Relations.

Burdette said the forum will be a chance for the campus community to learn a little more about the university’s budget.

“It’s an update on what we know, which isn’t a lot,” he said. “And a chance for campus folks to ask questions.”

The forum will start with a brief presentation of the budget’s history, revenue and how the budget works. Then the floor will be open for questions.

“What might be even more important is trying to answer the questions,” Wilbur said. “There are some we can’t answer.”

There are so many unknowns, including state budget, tuition and enrollment, Wilbur said, it is hard to have definitive answers on certain topics.

Discussions of budget cuts may be minimal, but Wilbur said she hopes to respond to suggestions given online through the CMU Portal by next week.

Government relations

Roth will speak in the government relations portion of the forum.

He said he hopes those in attendance will get a sense of what is going on in Lansing and in Washington regarding budgets.

“I think it’s an update for us,” Roth said. “I think they are hearing competing plans from government officials. Some are looking for tax increases, some are looking for purely cuts in the current budget.

“I’m just not sure how it’s going to work.”

Roth hopes to discuss which policies will move forward and when they will move forward.

He said right now, it is hard for the university to make many decisions when it comes to the budget.

But the forum will be a good opportunity for the panel to hear the concerns of the community, he said. Roth is unsure how proposed cuts will be addressed.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to come together and talk about what’s on our minds every day,” he said. “We just haven’t made any of those decisions and we just can’t.”

A Freedom of Information Act request filed by Central Michigan Life for the information sent Feb. 3 to the university’s General Counsel was denied Thursday.

The suggestions consisted of about 120 ideas from the Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group, including university-wide cuts discussed through the SSBAG and those suggested from the CMU community online last semester.

“Suggestions were provided to President Wilbur for her review and consideration, to assist her making decisions on budget reductions,” said a letter from Manuel Rupe, general counsel and Freedom of Information officer. “Disclosing records of those communications would prevent University officials and employees from meaningfully engaging in challenging and deliberate discussions on a complex issue.

“The public interest in encouraging such challenging and deliberative discussions clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure of preliminary recommendations intended to inform later determinations.”

The letter said the records were exempt under Section 13(1)(m) of the Act, which states communications and notes within a public body or between public bodies of an advisory nature, to the extent that they cover other than purely factual materials, are preliminary to a final agency determination of policy or action.

Other budget reduction requests

The 3, 6 and 9 percent budget cut suggestions were submitted to Ted Tolcher, interim vice president of Development and Alumni Relations, Interim Provost Gary Shapiro and David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, on Monday from all the service centers.

The documents are being reviewed and will be sent to Wilbur on Monday.

Ray Christie, vice provost of Academic Administration, said he and Shapiro will review the suggestions this week in order to get them to Wilbur on time.

“It will be very difficult,” Christie said. “It’s always tough to distinguish between priorities.”

Burdette said it is difficult to measure how much information he actually received in the recommendations, but he received a recommendation from every unit.

He could not comment on the type of suggestions he received.

“It’s going to be a long weekend,” Burdette said. “We are taking this very seriously. It is really just a work in progress right now.”

In a previous interview, Wilbur said she hopes to have a report to give at the Feb. 18 Board of Trustees meeting on what cuts she recommends.

Central Michigan Life also sent several FOIA requests on the 3, 6 and 9 percent budget cut plans Monday, but received no response as of Thursday.

Wilbur spoke at Tuesday’s Academic Senate meeting about her request for plans of 3, 6 and 9 percent budget cuts and the responsibility of department leaders to identify potential problems should a funding cut be implemented.

But faculty members were in an uproar over the money being set aside for CMU’s school of medicine.

“My concerns that I added were related to the increased transparency and the cost for the medical school,” said Laura Frey, associate professor of counseling and special education.

Currently, $5 million has been set aside annually from the operating budget for the medical school project, said David Burdette, vice president of finance and administrative services. The amount will be sufficient, he said, as long as planning for the school continues at its current pace.

The funds are set aside over the course of five years, or through the extent of development, Burdette said. Each year, any remaining expenses will carry on to the next, in addition to the funding.

Frey said setting aside money for the medical school in dire economic times is not financially prudent when departments must, at the same time, slice their budgets.

She asked Wilbur whether the money being set aside would be available for other colleges across campus if the project did not continue.
Wilbur said they could be used.

“I did appreciate that at least she was indicating that the funds could be used,” Frey said.

Wilbur believes, realistically, cuts will have to be made to the general budget either way.

“We have to be prepared,” she said. “I do not hold out great hope that there will be additional funds from the state.”

Well invested

Ray Christie, vice provost for Academic Administration, said it ius absolutely essential that cost centers prioritize costs for core functions in their 3, 6 and 9 percent proposals.

He said the medical school is an important project and the university will continue with its plans.

“The Board has made a decision and we’re well invested along the way,” Christie said.

Burdette said it has been estimated the school will cost up to $15 million a year once it is established.

Orlando Perez, political science department chairman, understands the money being set aside is crucial for CMU to continue with plans for the medical school. But he does not think it is reasonable to continue with the project when there are many needs rising across campus.

Perez said he is glad the budget cuts requested from budget centers also are being asked of the medical school.

“I do appreciate Wilbur’s answer that the medical school is included in the proposal,” Perez said.

“We need to remind (everybody) how the entire university budget is put together,” she said. “We will have so many more pieces of information in four short weeks.”

With less than two months until Central Michigan University has a new president, Wilbur aims to move forward.

A few things are on her mind — keeping academic programs strong, encouraging faculty hiring, enabling more students to come to CMU and establishing a firm set of budget reduction ideas.

Cost centers are devising options of 3, 6 and 9 percent budget cuts, per a request made by Wilbur last week. She’s asking the plans be submitted by Feb. 8.

Wilbur will then review the submissions along with proposed campus-wide cuts formed by the Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm will give the State of the State address Feb. 3 and will present the state budget later that month. Wilbur and university officials will know more after that, they say.

By the Feb. 18 Board of Trustees meeting, Wilbur hopes to have a better understanding of what CMU should cut.

“I want a very solid set of proposals on what we need to do,” Wilbur said. “I want to be able to go to the Board of Trustees and say these are the ideas we are considering.”

Board of Trustees Chairwoman Stephanie Comai said the sooner they get started, the better off they will be.

“I think the longer we wait to take action, the worse the problem,” Comai said. “(Wilbur is) still the president and we expect her to fully act on the responsibilities as president until George Ross arrives.”

But Wilbur is not keeping University President-designate George Ross out of the loop with these decisions. The two talk weekly, at the very least, she said.

Wilbur said they take a lot of time talking about the transition.

“We usually have quite an agenda, a laundry list of issues,” she said.

Students should not worry too much during the transition period, said Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe.

Roscoe believes Ross, who takes over March 1, will still keep a student focus on campus.

“I think President Ross will be very similar to President Wilbur,” he said.

A shift in financial aid

Wilbur is in the process of trying to establish more financial aid for students on a need base instead of merit base.

She wants to make sure the programs at CMU stay strong and funded, but a major factor is trying to keep tuition at a reasonable amount.

Wilbur is trying to shift some financial aid dollars from merit-based packages to need-based, and also is looking for money from other places in the university.

“Is there more need that needs to be met? I think that goes without saying,” Wilbur said. “How do we, as an institution, meet that need?”

It is a decision being made quickly, but will not be put into effect for about a year. Wilbur wants to continue to bring in a large pool of students applying each semester, which also would include employment of the right number of faculty.

She encourages colleges to hire more faculty members if enough money has been saved up.

“If you have the resources, please go forth,” Wilbur said.

Preparing for Ross’ arrival

Transition teams will be formed to give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to give input about CMU.

It is not certain, however, when those will be formed, Wilbur said.

To get ready for Ross, Wilbur will keep all efforts moving forward.

“All issues we’ve been involved in are still full steam ahead,” Wilbur said. “Nothing is on hold, nothing is stopped.”

When Ross starts March 1, he will have one week to be brought completely up to speed on the university’s budget. On March 8, he will testify concerning CMU’s budget before the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee on Higher Education.

Comai said the transition should be smooth.

“The fact that they know each other and they work well together… we are possibly as far along as we can be (for Ross) to transition back in to the university,” she said.

Clark had a way to voice her concern with Interim University President Kathy Wilbur Wednesday night at a student forum held by Wilbur in Sweeney Hall.

“Sweeney has been my home for the past three years,” Clark said. “I love it here.”

However, because of the transition, she is considering living off campus next year.

“It’s more of a personal choice,” Clark said.

Clark was hoping Wilbur and her colleagues had been discussing a new possible same-sex option for next year.

Clark would even be okay with a same sex floor, she said.

Wilbur was open and thoughtful to the idea.

“I think that’s a fair question, there should be something for everyone,” Wilbur said. “I appreciate your concerns.”

Clark and nine other students gathered around the Sweeney lobby for the third installment in the series of four student forums taking place this semester.

Wednesday was definitely the smallest turnout so far, Wilbur said.

There were conflicting opportunities such as the Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black lecture being held in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium, she said.

“I always enjoy talking with students who take the time and want to be there,” Wilbur said.

Besides the Sweeney transition, Wilbur also addressed student questions regarding other rumors floating around campus.

Other topics of conversation included the Michigan Promise, the north campus and the Bovee University Center remodeling, athletic cutbacks and apartment costs versus residence halls.

Wilbur said the broken Michigan Promise is a decision of Gov. Jennifer Granholm and there isn’t much Central Michigan University can do.

In addition to these topics, Wilbur was also asked personal questions such as what her favorite part about being president is.

“I get to review the menus for events,” Wilbur said. “And I also get the opportunity to be on campus and interact with students more than my last job.

“About every other day there’s a little surprise that drops on my desk.”

But not Central Michigan University.

Interim President Kathy Wilbur has no plans on hosting one, said Director of Public Relations Steve Smith, in an e-mail to Central Michigan Life.

Instead of presenting an annual address to the entire university regarding issues facing the school, Wilbur favors hosting several small meeting throughout the semester, Smith said.

He said Wilbur favors smaller meetings because they create a more intimate and open setting to interact with students, faculty and staff.

“Many people are uncomfortable speaking up in large settings,” Smith said. “The smaller forums are relaxed and conversational which gives President Wilbur a better opportunity to hear the interests and concerns of students.”

While many universities around Michigan host an annual State of the University address, Wilbur, along with Gary Shapiro, interim executive vice president and provost, are currently engaging in a series of student forums across campus in resident halls.

Smith said former university president Michael Rao hosted four or five State of the University addresses in his nine years as president.

What other schools do

Saginaw Valley State University President Eric Gilbertson hosts two all-school forums a year, said Jo Stanley, administrative assistant to the office of the president at SVSU — one in January and another back-to-school address in August.

In addition to that, Stanley said Gilbertson constantly attends student forums, teaches a constitutional law course and helps students move in.

Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas teaches upper- and lower-level chemistry courses one day each a semester, said Rachel Siglow, executive secretary to the president at GVSU.

Siglow said Haas hosts an annual all-school forum every year in August and regularly sits down to talk with students.

Western Michigan University President John Dunn, who hosts the State of the University address annually in the fall, does more than most to presidents to interact with students, WMU Executive Secretary Elaine Gaudio said.

Gaudio said Dunn gives remarks at three or four gatherings a week, most of which involve students.

She said he also keeps a blog which he updates various times a week and has a Facebook account with thousands of friends.

“I’d say his interaction with students tops the list,” Gaudio said.

Susan Martin, who has been president of Eastern Michigan University for two years, has never hosted a State of the University address, said Holly Smith, executive secretary to the president at EMU.

Holly Smith said Martin was planning on hosting one this month, but there is currently no set date for one.

“I mean, the students have definitely driven that agenda,” Wilbur said.

Wilbur held her first open forum in the Troutman lounge, the first presidential open forum in more than three years. It was the first of four forums to take place in residence halls, with the next one at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Larzelere Hall lobby.

Students understand efficiency usually means less money being spent, she said. If the university saves money, tuition is less likely to increase.

Wilbur said sustainability is why there are so many renovations occurring on campus.

“On a campus as old as ours, there is a great deal of constant maintenance. We’re working to improve that,” Wilbur said.

During the forum, Wilbur discussed the CMU 2010 plan put into effect several years ago. The plan was a series of goals that the university dedicated itself to completing by 2010. One of the goals was to get students more involved in the university.

“It was to make the campus much more student-centered,” Wilbur said.

The key to change

About 25 people attended the forum. Before the question-and-answer portion, Wilbur introduced herself and pressed that the students are key for any change.

“The best advocates for the university are the students. They are important for any change or transition,” Wilbur said.

Ideas were taken from students and others involved in the university during the planning process of the Bovee University Center renovations,

“A post office was the No. 1 request. So there will be a post office in the UC when it’s finished,” Wilbur said.

Justin Petkus, a Hudsonville junior and Troutman resident adviser, said he was impressed with Wilbur for meeting with residents.

“I think it’s great she is making herself available. It shows that she cares,” Petkus said.

Tuition is something that is important, too, Wilbur said.

“The cost of tuition has a very high impact on a student’s future,” she said, “It decides whether a student comes for a first year, and even decides if they come back for a second.”

Troutman Hall Director William O’Dell said it was a great idea for Wilbur to start these forums.

“We have an interim president who, knowing our campus may have a lot of questions right now, comes to meet with students and listens to them,” O’Dell said.