Executive Summary

Through its ongoing, comprehensive strategic planning process, Southeast Missouri State University conducted a Strategic Planning Forum in February 2008 where it identified five key priorities for the institution. In an earlier version of its strategic plan, adopted in 1996, the University committed to several initiatives such as a new School of Polytechnic Studies and the development of three new area higher education centers. These initiatives were for a time (FY1998-FY2001) supported by Mission Enhancement funds that were to have become part of the base budget, but which essentially have been eliminated from appropriations due to state revenue shortfalls in prior years.

In its strategic plan, the University is committed to improving participation in and access to higher education throughout its service region; enhancing opportunities for student experiential learning; and providing excellence in all aspects of its operations – including academic programs, human capital, physical facilities, and service to students. These Southeast priorities and the University’s continuing economical development initiatives guide the budget requests contained in this document, and are fully supportive of the Department of Higher Education’s priorities of (1) increasing participation in higher education, (2) improving preparation of high school students for that participation; and (3) improving the performance excellence of institutions.

The economy of this region of Missouri served only by Southeast Missouri State University is essentially rural and historically has been dependent on agriculture, mining, timber products, and small manufacturing plants.  As a group, these industries based on natural resources and the region’s relatively under-educated labor force have been a declining sector of employment opportunity. These factors create a need for increased higher educational opportunities in Southeast Missouri in order to give the people of this region a place in the future economy.

Southeast Missouri State University is the only baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institution physically located in the 24 out-state counties of its service region. Thus, maintenance of its core programs as outlined in this budget request, and enhancement of those programs where possible, is essential for the economic development of this large, economically- and educationally-depressed region.

Priority

In accordance with Missouri Department of Higher Education recommendations, the University is requesting funds for increases to FY 2009 Core budget to support the core mission items. Included are anticipated inflationary increases to health insurance benefits, increased cost of utilities purchases, and costs of education related to student enrollment increase.

This proposal would improve the University’s ability to meet costs associated with continuing operations.

2                UNDERFUNDED MANDATORY INCREASES                                 $7,890,000

In order to meet costs associated with maintenance and repair of existing facilities and in order to provide a quality education to a growing population of students, the University is requesting additional appropriations for these previously underfunded mandatory costs.

As University facilities age the costs to repair and maintain buildings continue to increase. The University has funded many of the on-going needs with one-time money accrued from freezing vacant positions, however rapidly increasing operational demands on faculty and staff due to increased student enrollment have created the need for positions to be filled quicker.

The funding of this proposal would assist in the proper maintenance and repair of existing buildings and allow for the necessary instruction expenses associated with increased enrollment.

3                 CARING FOR MISSOURIANS                                                           $1,166,806

To increase the availability of health care services to the University’s service region, the University is proposing enhancements to our nursing degree program. Through the expansion of existing nursing programs and the creation of new medical professional programs the University will graduate an additional 41 trained professionals per year. To accomplish this expansion the University must increase faculty, expand electronic infrastructure, and add information technology staff.

It is anticipated that graduates from these programs would remain in the area. The infusion of more medical professionals will provide a high quality, cost effective care to a population that has traditionally experienced a shortage in health care services.

4                  FUNDING FOR RESULTS                                                                     $250,000

The Funding for Results program at Southeast Missouri State University links planning, budgeting, and assessment to continuous improvement in teaching and learning.  As a participant in the CBHE's campus-level Funding for Results project, the University has developed an internal grants program which provides incentives and awards on a competitive basis to projects that are likely to advance the University's strategic plan, enhance teaching and learning, and produce valid outcomes data.  The University reallocated both base and one-time funds for the FY 1996 pilot project and implemented a permanent project in FY 1997.

Printer-friendly

E-mail this page to a friend