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@Metro (Vol. 4, No. 19)
At its regular monthly meeting last week, the Board of Trustees began discussion on a proposed tuition increase for the 2003-04 academic year. The board was presented several scenarios that combined a tuition increase with the prospect of additional reductions in state funding. Following a review of the scenarios, trustees gave preliminary support to a tuition increase in the range of 5-7 percent. New revenue generated from a tuition increase would be used to invest in more tenured and tenure-track faculty, increase part-time faculty salaries and to help make up for the $1.6 million reduction in state-appropriated financial aid for Metro State. The Board of Trustees plans to vote on a tuition increase at its June or July meeting.
Last Wednesday, the Board of Trustees held its second public hearing on the proposed Trustees Policy Manual and Handbook for Professional Personnel. Revised drafts had been provided to faculty and administrators following last month's public hearing. A number of faculty members expressed concern with the proposed policy allowing a reduction in force for tenured faculty. Others recommended greater flexibility for faculty in setting and changing goals. Faculty and administrators also suggested keeping the current five-point evaluation system rather than switching to a 10-point system. A final draft of the manual and handbook will be distributed prior to the Board of Trustees' June 4 meeting. The board expects to vote on a new policy manual and handbook in time for both to be effective July 1.
AHEC has announced summer parking lot construction plans. Beginning Monday, May 19, Lots H and I will be closed. Lot H will be enlarged and improved. The metered parking area west of the Arts Classroom Building will be converted into a pedestrian walkway and the temporary trailers will be removed. The lots will reopen in time for the beginning of the fall semester. Also, Lots E and F will be closed May 19-24 to complete landscaping projects.
For more information, go to http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/@metro/@metro_vol4/parkingv4051403.htm
Colorado isn't the only state struggling with massive budget gaps in the face of balanced budget requirements, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NSCL) reports in its latest State Budget Update, released April 24. "K-12 education, social services, Medicaid eligibility and corrections are all being scaled back as states struggle to bring their books into balance," said NSCL President Angela Monson. The report, "State Budget Update: April 2003," shows 21 states are considering proposals that would affect funding levels for K-12 education, including across-the-board cuts, reducing transportation funds, slashing state aid for teacher salaries and lowering per-pupil state aid. States are struggling to close a $21.5 billion budget gap during the remaining two months of their fiscal year. During fiscal year 2002-03, which began on July 1, 2002, 37 states saw revenues failing to meet projections, while only three reported revenues exceeding budget levels. Forty-five states subsequently revised their forecasts, in nearly every instance downward. In Colorado, $900 million had to be trimmed from the current year's budget. Metro State's share of cuts was $5.5 million. The situation is not much brighter for fiscal year 2003-04. As states craft their budgets for the next fiscal year, estimates show 41 states facing a cumulative budget gap of $78.4 billion. For this coming fiscal year, the Colorado legislature has cut $1 billion. Of that, $100 million is from higher education, including $6.5 million from Metro State.
The Aerospace Science Department has acquired four new flight simulators, allowing the department to improve its training and teaching capabilities. Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Daniels Fund, the four simulators will be used in classes starting this fall. All four simulators are PC-based, which provides realistic flight simulation at a cost substantially lower than more traditional flight simulators. "We'll be able to improve the quality of instruction and provide students with greater insight into various flight situations," said Department Chair Jeff Forrest. Two of the units simulate light twin-engine aircraft. The other two simulate larger turboprop planes. To see a photo of one of the new simulators, go to http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/@metro/@metro_vol4/simulatorsv4051403.htm.
Associate Professor of Physics Richard Krantz will give a graduate seminar May 30 titled "Musical Acoustics and Continued Fractions" at the University of Chicago. Krantz will discuss the connection between the seemingly disparate fields of physics, mathematics and music. Based on his research with colleagues at SUNY-Buffalo and the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, Krantz will discuss the mathematics of contemporary music theory and why these modern mathematical ideas make sense acoustically. Economics Professor John Cochran is among the presenters at a seminar on economist Friedrich Hayek at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, Calif., this weekend. Cochran's topic is "How the Economy Really Works: Competition and the Market Process."
Metro State's top graduating art students will be on hand from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Center for the Visual Arts for a Meet The Artists reception. "On the Verge: Senior Honors Thesis" features the works of students who were selected through a vote by art faculty. The exhibition is on display through May 24. Works in two- and three-dimensional media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, computer art, photography and sculpture are included. Most of the artwork is for sale. The Center for the Visual Arts is located at 1734 Wazee St. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 303-294-5207.
Nine Metro women were honored May 8 at the Institute for Women's Studies
and Services' annual Outstanding Women Awards event. The 2003 recipients
are: administrator - Karen Raforth, associate vice president and dean
of student life; classified - Cheryl Sipe, program assistant, Institute
for Women's Studies and Services; faculty - Aileen Lucero, associate sociology
professor; alumnae - Susan Stern; and student - Beth Ott.
Two helicopters landed on the Auraria soccer field last Thursday, giving
spectators a close-up look at the Huey and Black Hawk and a chance to
climb inside them. The organizer and one of the pilots was Randal Wright,
a junior physics student. The event was sponsored by the Society of Physics
Students. To see photos, go to http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/@metro/@metro_vol4/helicopterv4051403.htm 10. Contact Us With Your Suggestions |
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