Swartzendruber addresses prioritization concerns

The university-wide prioritization process, begun last January, entered a new phase last Monday when program ratings were distributed to academic department chairs and directors of administrative units.

In earlier communications to the campus community I have outlined the background reasons for doing this process at EMU. While it is imperative that we address financial issues such as unfunded depreciation, lagging salaries, fund balance concerns, and need for greater financial aid resources, EMU must also find ways to enhance our ability to support creative new initiatives. As Dr. Robert Dickeson says frequently, "This is a process that every institution should do periodically to strategically position themselves for the future."

Last spring the Prioritization Steering Committee (PSC) developed criteria for measuring each program with respect to mission, demand (internal and external), quality, productivity, and cost effectiveness (MDQPC). Two additional criteria, more subjective in nature, were included, "opportunities," and "other factors." A total of 208 programs were rated by teams of three PSC members and from those ratings each program has been placed in one of three categories; above average, average, and below average.

During the month of October the campus community, through the academic and administrative departments, will engage in discussions concerning programs that were rated "below average," as well as ideas for enhancing all programs on campus. Student input will be received through meetings scheduled by departments and/or by submission of ideas posted on the PSC web site. All responses and ideas will be considered by the PSC in the formulation of recommendations which will be submitted to me.

The PSC has not made any recommendations on program changes to date. Best ideas generated in the weeks ahead will be shared with the campus community on or after October 31. The PSC recommendations will be written and submitted to me by November 21. Those recommendations will be communicated to faculty, staff, and students. During the following two weeks (November 21 - December 5) appeals will be sent to me with the understanding that I will take any appeals to the President's Cabinet to hear their response before finalizing my response. Any recommendations requiring the approval of the board of trustees will be on the agenda for the March 2006 board meeting.

In comments to faculty, staff, and students last Monday, I underscored that many of the ultimate recommendations, particularly for program reductions, will be implemented over a period of 2-3 years. Our top priority is to meet the needs of current students and, secondly, to care for the needs of faculty and staff.

The President's Cabinet has indicated that approximately $2 million should be reallocated within the total university budget of more than $25 million. We do not anticipate that all reallocated funds should come from reductions in programs. We expect that new sources of revenue will also be identified as a result of this process. The ultimate goal of the entire process is to strengthen EMU to achieve its mission for years into the future. The PSC web site at www.emu.edu/psc contains the minutes and documents from all PSC meetings since last January. It also includes a forum where anyone is welcome to submit responses and ideas.