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St. Cloud State University
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SCSU stays open for break
By Amber Krueger
Published:
Monday, October 6, 2003
SCSU will remain open during winter break and will close on Fridays for the 2004 summer. The primary reason for the change is the budget strain. The university will save a significant amount of money with the changes.
Steve Ludwig, vice president for administrative affairs said that last summer SCSU saved about $100,000 in employee salary wages, and about $15,000 in utilities.
The university decided to remain open during the winter because closing would be too problematic.
Ludwig said the reason the university will remain open during break is to provide services in a timely manner for students and vendors.
If the university is closed for several days in a row, payments can be delayed, university gifts may not be properly credited and student academic progress and financial aid may not be processed on time.
Stopping mail sorting, deposits, payroll entry, maintenance, campus events and snow removal would also prove to be difficult issues. MSU-Mankato tried a similar closing last year but decided to remain open as well because of the same problems.
The summer closing shouldn't have a significant effect on campus employment or student services.
Ludwig said that there are very limited problems in the summer. The advantage to closing on Fridays in the summer is the university can save money on staff time and operations while maintaining an academic program. Many employment options will be available next summer.
Alternate work schedules are being offered and will be available May 19, 2004 through Aug. 24, 2004.
Employees may also take leave without pay the Fridays SCSU is closed, may choose annual leave or a combination of both. If employees choose not to take leave without pay or annual leave and are unable to work the alternate schedules, they may request work assignments or use their vacation time.
Ludwig said that most faculty members are on a nine-month contract, so the change does not effect them.
He also noted that while these changes will help the university save money, they will also preserve the academic program and limit tuition increases, while providing services to students more efficiently.
Other changes are also being made to help control the university's budget.
Almost all out-of-state travel will be limited. Exceptions must be approved by the president and can be made for university business only.
Professional and technical contracts will not be approved unless they are strictly for classroom and instructional purposes.
In addition, achievement awards will not be given out this year, and refreshments for campus meetings are no longer available. The savings from these cuts are to help funding for equipment and supplies for instructional purposes.
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