Start Ringing the Campus Bells!

For those who missed the Capital Journal story regarding the recent WU personnel changes, check out the online comment from Cbtrace. Sentiments shared by many.

From the Forum - Cutting Costs the WU Way

As Washburn University decreases the number of faculty, increases class size, and reduces class offerings, one fiscal officer doesn’t seem to have gotten the message – cut unnecessary costs.

Public Comments to WU Board of Regents - 01/29/2010

The budget process for FY11 has begun. Once again the administration is looking at outsourcing facility services and offering an early retirement program while avoiding the real cost savings that could be realized by seriously analyzing administrative expenses.

Problems in Paradise

Seems the Washburn University faculty are very upset with the computing environment, or lack thereof, on campus. The January 26, 2009 Faculty Senate agenda (43 page pdf file) indicates a gross disregard by the WU administration of the academic needs of a masters level university. Could this contentious environment (see pages 14-43) be contributing to the declining enrollments? Gross disregard for academic computing needs across campus has certainly distracted too many faculty members from their primary focus, as they consider taking a Vote of No Confidence in ISS (see page 11). Don't miss pages 4 and 5 of the December 8, 2008 Faculty Senate minutes for some background of what is going on behind the scenes. Oh, by the way, for the 13 page sanitized version of the same agenda, check out the agenda link at VPAA.

Now the Work Begins - Increasing WU Enrollment

The Admissions and Marketing Assessment Report was issued on April 16, 2008 to Washburn University by Paskill Stapleton & Lord as part of a $58,250 consulting contract. The report is lengthy, but an interesting read. Recommendations are concrete and plentiful and worthy of lively discussion across campus.