Happy Friday, Raider family
I hope you have had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break. I’d like to start this weekly message with a word of gratitude. Thank you for the continued diligence in reducing our spending. Some categories, such as travel and hosting, are down fairly significantly since we began this reduction effort.
Additionally (and historically), we have seen an increase in spending at the end of the fiscal year (between April and June). Many of us have heard the familiar narrative that if we don't spend our entire budget, it will be reduced the following year. But in light of our current situation, and given the strides we have made, it is imperative that all spending be limited to absolute necessities for the remainder of the fiscal year. Please continue to look for ways to reduce spending in your area, so that we can preserve the university we all love and deserve. You really are helping – let’s keep it up.
I also want to send my sincere gratitude to all of our community partners who have advocated for our university, and continue to do so, in their engagement with Deloitte and with community dialogues across the valley. We know the value of our institution to the region and the state, but when community stakeholders echo that message, the beacon of hope and promise becomes even more powerful and reaches beyond our span of influence. If you know community members and organizations who have advocated on our behalf, please take the time to give them our gratitude.
In my meeting with Deloitte this morning, the consultants shared that they are continuing data analysis, including cost drivers within our Education and General fund budget as well as in our Auxiliary budgets. In the coming weeks, they will start to formulate a skeleton of a plan that will help SOU establish long-term fiscal sustainability. They shared that they have appreciated all of the feedback and suggestions they have been receiving on the feedback loop link, as well as conversations they’ve had with the focus groups. Here are their summary takeaways so far, in the Deloitte team’s own words:
● We have had strong engagement across our campus and community: on our always on feedback loop, we have had a total of 118 responses.
● Respondents included Faculty/Deans 40 (33.9%); Admin/Staff 36 (30.5%); Extended Community 28 (23.7%); Students 7 (5.9%); Board of Trustees 7 (5.9%).
● 85% agree/strongly agree that they have an understanding of project goals, while 70% agree/strongly agree that they have an understanding of the approach and timeline.
● We have had a thread of priority themes across responses: respondents highlighted the need to focus on distinctive, market-relevant programs and strengthen employer/community linkages. Respondents also focused on arts and theatre as an SOU differentiator.
● Across our finances, respondents called for clear decision rights, visible follow through and hiring/workload relief, in addition to concerns about our overall funding model.
Finally, I’d like to ask all of us to focus on student retention. We know that many students are questioning whether or not to stay at SOU. We need to remind them who we are, and why we remain committed to their success. We need to make sure, particularly as our plan comes into view, that pathways undoubtedly will still be available to them. And let’s all continue to show the love and respect for them (and each other) that everyone deserves.
Thanks very much, everyone. Have a joyful and restful weekend.
Very respectfully,
